precaution Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
    guard; safeguard.
    • he put an ice pack on the injury as a precaution
    • an insurance policy is a good safeguard
    • we let our guard down
  2. noun the trait of practicing caution in advance
  3. noun judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger
    caution; forethought; care.
    • he exercised caution in opening the door
    • he handled the vase with care

WordNet

Pre*cau"tion noun
Etymology
F. précation, L. praecautio, fr. praecavere, praecautum, to guard against beforehand; prae before + cavere be on one's guard. See Pre-, and Caution.
Definitions
  1. Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution.
    They [ancient philosophers] treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution. J. H. Newman.
  2. A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against accident.
Pre*cau"tion transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. précautionner.
Definitions
  1. To warn or caution beforehand. Locke.
  2. To take precaution against. R. Dryden.

Webster 1913