precaution

Word parts

pre- + caution

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /priːˈkɔː.ʃən/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /priːˈkɔ.ʃən/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: pre‧cau‧tion

Noun

Singular precaution

Plural precautions

1. Precaution refers to previous care and caution taken to ensure safety.

   The father of the family took a gun out of his closet as a precaution against intruders during the night.

Related words

• prevention

Verb

Plain form precaution

Third-person singular precautions

Past tense precautioned

Past participle precautioned

Present participle precautioning

1. (transitive) When you precaution someone, you warn the person of possible danger.
2. (transitive) When you precaution something, you take measures to ensure your safety from it, to take precautions against it.