1
: warning, admonishment
Her comments were intended as a caution to us to protect our property.
2
: precaution
a surgeon taking the caution of sterilizing his instruments
3
: prudent forethought to minimize risk
Use caution when operating a chain saw.
4
: one that astonishes or commands attention
some shoes you see … these days are a caution—
Esquire
EsquireExamples of caution in a Sentence
Noun
You should use caution when operating the electric saw.
He injected a note of caution in his talk.
Her financial adviser urged caution before investing in the project.
The roads are slippery: drive with extreme caution.
Her comments were intended as a caution to us to protect our property.
A note of caution: be sure that the electricity is off before you install the ceiling fan.
She was given a caution by the magistrate.
Verb
Officials are cautioning that the war may continue for years.
“Don't decide too quickly,” she cautioned.
He was cautioned for speeding.
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
This slowdown is driven by high interest rates, corporate caution, and the impact of new tariffs.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2025
Macro hedge fund founder of Bridgewater, Ray Dalio, cautions that tariffs are a symptom of deeper structural challenges, escalating debt, declining competitiveness, and the need for workforce upskilling.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caution
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Noun
According to procedure, the field is frozen as soon as the caution lights are illuminated.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
This slowdown is driven by high interest rates, corporate caution, and the impact of new tariffs.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
Failing to attend an appointment with USCIS can result in major delays in a green card application, USCIS and most immigration attorneys caution, if not outright denial.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2025
Macro hedge fund founder of Bridgewater, Ray Dalio, cautions that tariffs are a symptom of deeper structural challenges, escalating debt, declining competitiveness, and the need for workforce upskilling.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caution
Cite this Entry
“Caution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caution. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
caution
1 of 2 noun
cau·tion
ˈkȯ-shən 
1
2
: carefulness in regard to danger
3
: someone or something that astonishes or catches one's attention
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