noun
Uncommon
precaution
pree-KAW-shuhn
Precaution (noun) means an action taken in advance to prevent a problem or reduce a risk. Example: “Wearing a helmet is a simple precaution that can prevent serious injury.”
noun
1
An action taken in advance to prevent a problem or reduce a risk.
"Wearing a helmet is a simple precaution that can prevent serious injury."
"The airline took extra precautions during the storm."
How to use precaution
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething you do ahead of time to stay safe or avoid trouble later.
Common pairings
take precautions
safety precaution
as a precaution
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Word forms
- Plural
- precautions
- Third person singular
- precautions
- Past tense
- precautioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Wearing a helmet is a simple _____ that can prevent serious injury.
Etymology
From French "précaution," from Latin "praecautio," from "praecavere" ("to guard against beforehand") — combining "prae" ("before") and "cavere" ("to be careful").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for precaution
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for precaution →
Frequently asked questions
What does “precaution” mean?
The word “precaution” means an action taken in advance to prevent a problem or reduce a risk. In plain terms, something you do ahead of time to stay safe or avoid trouble later.
How do you pronounce “precaution”?
“Precaution” is pronounced pree-KAW-shuhn (/pɹiːˈkɔ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “precaution” in a sentence?
Here is “precaution” used in a sentence: “Wearing a helmet is a simple precaution that can prevent serious injury.”
What is another word for “precaution”?
Words with a similar meaning to “precaution” include forecaution.
What part of speech is “precaution”?
“Precaution” is a noun.
Where does the word “precaution” come from?
The word “precaution” comes from Latin. From French "précaution," from Latin "praecautio," from "praecavere" ("to guard against beforehand") — combining "prae" ("before") and "cavere" ("to be careful").
Is “precaution” a common word?
“Precaution” is an uncommon word in modern English.
