precaution
noun
pre·cau·tion
pri-ˈkȯ-shən 
1
: care taken in advance : foresight
warned of the need for precaution
2
: a measure taken beforehand to prevent harm or secure good : safeguard
take the necessary precautions
Examples of precaution in a Sentence
Be sure to follow the usual safety precautions when cooking outdoors.
When driving, she always wears her seatbelt as a precaution.
Every home owner should take precautions against fire.
She took the precaution of packing extra medicine for the trip.
Recent Examples on the Web
No major damage has yet been reported, but Greek authorities are taking precautions ahead of a potentially large-scale earthquake.
—
Chris Liakos, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
Homeowners should take precautions before a storm hits by setting thermostats to a reasonable level to conserve energy, insulating pipes to prevent freezing and ensuring all doors and windows are sealed properly.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Health officials urge anyone who has contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions, including respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry.
—Michelle Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
While guidelines shift for toddlers and preschoolers, safety precautions remain essential.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for precaution 
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Chris Liakos, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
Homeowners should take precautions before a storm hits by setting thermostats to a reasonable level to conserve energy, insulating pipes to prevent freezing and ensuring all doors and windows are sealed properly.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Health officials urge anyone who has contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions, including respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry.
—Michelle Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
While guidelines shift for toddlers and preschoolers, safety precautions remain essential.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for precaution
Dictionary Entries Near precaution
Cite this Entry
“Precaution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precaution. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precaution
noun
pre·cau·tion
pri-ˈkȯ-shən
1
: care taken in advance : foresight
2
: a measure taken beforehand to prevent harm or to bring about a good result
take precautions against fire
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