caution

1 of 2

noun

cau·​tion ˈkȯ-shən How to pronounce caution (audio)
1
: warning, admonishment
Her comments were intended as a caution to us to protect our property.
2
: precaution
a surgeon taking the caution of sterilizing his instruments
3
: prudent forethought to minimize risk
Use caution when operating a chain saw.
4
: one that astonishes or commands attention
some shoes you see … these days are a cautionEsquire
cautionary adjective

caution

2 of 2

verb

cautioned; cautioning ˈkȯ-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce caution (audio)

transitive verb

: to advise caution to : warn
She cautioned him not to act rashly.

Examples of caution in a Sentence

Noun You should use caution when operating the electric saw. He injected a note of caution in his talk. Her financial adviser urged caution before investing in the project. The roads are slippery: drive with extreme caution. Her comments were intended as a caution to us to protect our property. A note of caution: be sure that the electricity is off before you install the ceiling fan. She was given a caution by the magistrate. Verb Officials are cautioning that the war may continue for years. “Don't decide too quickly,” she cautioned. He was cautioned for speeding.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Baldwin, 65, was indicted by a New Mexico grand jury in January 2024 for involuntary manslaughter (negligent use of a firearm) or alternatively, with involuntary manslaughter (without due caution or circumspection) in the death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Oct. 21, 2021. Daniel S. Levine, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 However, caution is warranted when pursuing other aspects such as raising the corporate tax rate and penalizing corporations for executive compensation. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 Dodgers Dodgers pleased with ‘really sharp’ Blake Treinen, but team continues to stress caution March 4, 2024 Brusdar Graterol not being available for the Seoul trip amid hip tightness and shoulder soreness makes Treinen’s potential availability that much more important for the Dodgers’ bullpen. Noah Furtado, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 With those glasses and caution, Hoosiers and visitors can safely experience a once-in-lifetime natural phenomenon in Indianapolis. Binghui Huang, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Mar. 2024 That means policymakers and analysts could emphasize caution and patience until more data comes in — and that they won’t necessarily be shaken by data showing housing and gasoline as the main sticking points. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Outdoor enthusiasts should also use caution with any off-road vehicles or equipment that can create a spark and start a fire. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 Please take caution as some areas remain narrow due to snow and a lot of moving equipment. Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2024 Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
But doctors also caution that no one knows what the optimal dose might be for humans, and taking certain quantities of rapamycin can lead to reproductive harm and insulin resistance as well as making the body more susceptible to infection. Daniel Gilbert, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 But some Michigan Democrats in recent weeks have cautioned the party about overlooking restlessness within a significantly larger and politically influential demographic: Black voters. Joey Cappelletti, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 Chemicals used to convert cannabinoids found in hemp into delta-8 may include harmful contaminants, the agency cautioned. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The MoffettNathanson report, while focusing on where U.S. media players can cut costs to get closer to streaming profitability, does caution key drivers for subscriber growth and cutting losses remains content spending. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Tintori cautioned that the type of tiny nematodes collected at the site (scientific name Oscheius tipulae) are pretty resilient to changes in environmental factors. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 In a note to creditors included in his September report, Wirth cautioned that state statutes require unpaid employees to be paid first and most claimants will not be compensated for their losses. Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 Ukrainian officials have privately cautioned that Kyiv is unlikely to attempt another counteroffensive this year, especially without an increase in Western aid soon. Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 Other Sierra roadways, Caltrans said, weren’t in much better shape, and officials cautioned tractor-trailer drivers and others to avoid using smaller highways to bypass the closures. Daniel Hunt, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'caution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin caution-, cautio precaution, from cavēre to be on one's guard — more at hear

First Known Use

Noun

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1683, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of caution was in 1566

Dictionary Entries Near caution

Cite this Entry

“Caution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caution. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

caution

1 of 2 noun
cau·​tion ˈkȯ-shən How to pronounce caution (audio)
1
2
: carefulness in regard to danger
3
: someone or something that astonishes or catches one's attention

caution

2 of 2 verb
cautioned; cautioning ˈkȯ-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce caution (audio)
: to advise caution to : warn

More from Merriam-Webster on caution

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