precaution

CEFRC1

/pɹiːˈkɔːʃən/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    An action taken to prevent danger or problems.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act.

Examples

  • As a last precaution, I put a flashlight into my pack.

  • As a precaution against infection, please put on the face mask provided to you.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
1
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /pɹɪˈkɑ.ʃən/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. To warn or caution beforehand.

  2. Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent misfortune or to secure good.

verb

Extra meaning

  1. To take precaution against.

More examples

In context

  • to take precautions against risks of accident

  • July 2, 1826, John Henry Newman, The Philosophical Temper, First Enjoined by the Gospel The ancient philosophers treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution.

  • his life was saved by precaution

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Wearing a helmet while biking is a simple blank that can prevent serious head injuries.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From French précaution, Latin praecautio, from praecavere, praecautum (“to guard against beforehand”); prae (“before”) + cavere (“be on one's guard”). See pre-, and caution.