A precaution is an action that is intended to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening.
Could he not, just as a precaution, move to a place of safety?
I had taken the precaution of doing a little research before I left London.
Extra safety precautions are essential in homes where older people live.
More Synonyms of precaution
precaution in British English
(prɪˈkɔːʃən)
noun
1.
an action taken to avoid a dangerous or undesirable event
2.
caution practised beforehand; circumspection
Derived forms
precautionary (preˈcautionary) or precautional (preˈcautional)
adjective
precautious (preˈcautious)
adjective
Word origin
C17: from French, from Late Latin praecautiō, from Latin praecavēre to guard against, from prae before + cavēre to beware
precaution in American English
(prɪˈkɔʃən)
noun
1.
care taken beforehand; caution used in advance
2.
a measure taken beforehand against possible danger, failure, etc.
Derived forms
precautionary (preˈcautionˌary)
adjective
Word origin
Fr précaution < LL praecautio < L praecautus, pp. of praecavere < prae-, before (see pre-) + cavere, to take care: for IE base see hear
precaution in the Pharmaceutical Industry
(prɪkɔʃən)
Word forms: (regular plural) precautions
noun
(Pharmaceutical: Processes)
A precaution is a measure taken in advance to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happeningwhen a drug is administered, or a warning about something dangerous or unpleasant that could happen.
Note the following precaution: the medicine may cause drowsiness, so it may not be safe to drive a vehicle.
Doctors take the precaution of prescribing blood thinners before a drug-eluting stent is implanted, to reducethe risk of a blood clot.
A precaution is a measure taken in advance to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happeningwhen a drug is administered, or a warning about something dangerous or unpleasantthat could happen.
COBUILD Collocations
precaution
necessary precaution
sensible precaution
Examples of 'precaution' in a sentence
precaution
Witnesses said that fire safety precautions were rarely observed inside the building.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
You also need to take precautions if you have an egg allergy.
The Sun (2016)
The table is booked under a pseudonym as a security precaution.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's a sensible security precaution.
The Sun (2016)
While most tourists encounter no problems, take the usual precautions: lock your car and keep an eye on valuables.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They can strike a balance between taking necessary precautions and preserving our freedoms.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Sometimes you do need to take extra precautions.
Christianity Today (2000)
To reduce the stresses there are some simple precautions you should take.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Trains are faster and safety precautions are increasing.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The law does not require pedestrians to take such precautions.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This was a reasonable precaution in itself.
Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)
This tragic case must mean we are all on guard and follow basic precautions.
The Sun (2009)
The safety precautions in place are now the best in the world.
The Sun (2009)
You should also ask your accountant what security precautions they are taking.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The study found that cyclists often failed to take necessary precautions.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It used to be thought that a course of antibiotics meant you needed extra precautions.
The Sun (2011)
Some cases were potentially avoidable through simple precautions and lifestyle changes.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The usual safety precautions apply when dealing with petrol.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The couple have been forced to take precautions themselves.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The food is fabulous and the country is safe if you take the basic precautions.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Locals would then have been alerted to take more security precautions.
The Sun (2015)
The recall is a very sensible and necessary precaution.
The Sun (2010)
It particularly urged boat owners to take extra precautions.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Simple precautions such as keeping the family computer out in the open can help.
The Sun (2012)
The police arranged for the evacuation of people to two hotels as a safety precaution.
The Sun (2010)
So if you work in a nail bar take extra precautions or reduce your hours.
The Sun (2012)
Most of us take the basic precaution of having more than one credit card.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Health and safety law says that we should assess all known risks and then take reasonable precautions before taking action.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But in many situations the police need to take swift action - putting those precautions in place would take too long.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If the claimant could show that it took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence, it would have a defence.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
precaution
British English: precaution /prɪˈkɔːʃən/ NOUN
A precaution is an action that is intended to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening.
They took the precaution of getting legal advice.
American English: precaution
Arabic: إِحْتِيَاط
Brazilian Portuguese: precaução
Chinese: 预防
Croatian: predostrožnost
Czech: preventivní opatření
Danish: forholdsregel
Dutch: voorzorgsmaatregel
European Spanish: precaución
Finnish: varotoimi
French: précaution
German: Vorkehrung
Greek: προφύλαξη
Italian: precauzione
Japanese: 用心
Korean: 예방조치
Norwegian: forholdsregel
Polish: ostrożność
European Portuguese: precaução
Romanian: prevedere
Russian: предосторожность
Latin American Spanish: precaución
Swedish: förebyggande åtgärd
Thai: การระมัดระวังไว้ก่อน
Turkish: önlem
Ukrainian: обережність
Vietnamese: lời cảnh báo
Chinese translation of 'precaution'
precaution
(prɪˈkɔːʃən)
n(c)
预(預)防措施 (yùfáng cuòshī) (项, xiàng)
as a precaution以防万(萬)一 (yǐ fáng wànyī)
to take precautions采(採)取防范(範)措施 (cǎiqǔ fángfàn cuòshī)
1 (noun)
Definition
an action taken in advance to prevent an undesirable event
This is purely a safety precaution.
Synonyms
safeguard
A system like ours lacks adequate safeguards for civil liberties.
insurance
Put something away as insurance against failure of the business.
protection
The primary duty of parents is the protection of their children.
provision
There is no provision for funding performance-related pay increases.
safety measure
preventative measure
belt and braces (informal)
2 (noun)
Exercise adequate precaution when out in public.
Synonyms
forethought
With a little forethought many accidents could be avoided.
care
I chose my words with care.
caution
Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution in icy weather.
anticipation
There's been an atmosphere of anticipation round here for some days.
prudence
A lack of prudence may lead to financial problems.
foresight
They had the foresight to invest in new technology.
providence
the lack of providence in his behaviour
wariness
Extreme wariness is the safest policy when dealing with this machinery.
circumspection
Handling difficult customers requires tact and circumspection.
Seeforesight
Synonyms of 'precaution'
precaution
Explore 'precaution' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of circumspection
Handling difficult customers requires tact and circumspection.
Synonyms
caution,
care,
discretion,
prudence,
wariness,
keeping your head down,
canniness,
chariness
in the sense of foresight
Definition
the ability to anticipate and provide for future needs
They had the foresight to invest in new technology.
Synonyms
forethought,
prudence,
circumspection,
far-sightedness,
care,
provision,
caution,
precaution,
anticipation,
preparedness,
prescience (formal),
premeditation,
prevision (rare)
in the sense of insurance
Definition
a means of protection
Put something away as insurance against failure of the business.
Synonyms
protection,
security,
guarantee,
provision,
shelter,
safeguard,
warranty,
something to fall back on (informal)
in the sense of protection
Definition
the act of protecting or the condition of being protected
The primary duty of parents is the protection of their children.
Synonyms
safety,
charge,
care,
defence,
protecting,
security,
guarding,
custody,
safeguard,
preservation,
aegis,
guardianship,
safekeeping
in the sense of providence
Definition
the foresight shown by a person in the management of his or her affairs
the lack of providence in his behaviour
Synonyms
foresight,
care,
caution,
discretion,
prudence,
forethought,
presence of mind,
perspicacity,
far-sightedness
in the sense of provision
There is no provision for funding performance-related pay increases.
Synonyms
arrangement,
plan,
planning,
preparation,
precaution,
contingency,
prearrangement
in the sense of prudence
A lack of prudence may lead to financial problems.
Synonyms
thrift,
economy,
planning,
saving,
precaution,
foresight,
providence,
preparedness,
good management,
husbandry,
frugality,
forethought,
economizing,
far-sightedness,
careful budgeting
in the sense of wariness
Extreme wariness is the safest policy when dealing with this machinery.