precaution
noun/prɪˈkɔːʃn/
/prɪˈkɔːʃn/
[usually plural]- precaution (against something) something that is done in advance in order to prevent problems or to avoid danger
- safety precautions
- precautions against fire
- You must take all reasonable precautions to protect yourself and your family.
- I'll keep the letter as a precaution.
Extra ExamplesTopics Dangerc1- I took the precaution of turning the water supply off first.
- She had to stay in hospital overnight, just as a precaution.
- We take every precaution to ensure that you have a comfortable journey.
- You'll be quite safe if you observe certain basic precautions.
- a precaution against customers who try to leave without paying
- the need to take great precautions to protect sources
- Residents have a responsibility to take adequate precautions against fire.
- Serious injury can occur if proper safety precautions are not followed.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- sensible
- wise
- adequate
- …
- follow
- observe
- take
- …
- as a precaution
- precaution against
- precaution for
- …
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- precautions[plural] a way of referring to contraception
- We didn't take any precautions and I got pregnant.
Word Originlate 16th cent. (in the sense ‘prudent foresight’): from French précaution, from late Latin praecautio(n-), from Latin praecavere, from prae ‘before’ + cavere ‘take heed, beware of’.
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