Precautions
prɪˈkɔːʃənz
Definitions
Actions taken beforehand to avoid danger or prevent something unpleasant from happening.
prɪˈkɔːʃənz
Actions taken in advance to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening.
Always take precautions when handling hazardous materials.
💡 Simply: Precautions are like making sure you wear a helmet before you ride your bike, or checking the weather forecast before you go outside. They're the things you do to be safe or prepared.
👶 For kids: Things you do to keep yourself safe.
More Examples
The airline has implemented additional safety precautions.
We took every precaution to avoid making any mistakes.
How It's Used
"Doctors take precautions to prevent the spread of infection."
"Safety precautions are essential in a laboratory."
"The company is taking financial precautions against market fluctuations."
Idioms & expressions
take precautions
To do something to prevent something dangerous or bad from happening.
"The police told people to take precautions after the earthquake."
safety precautions
Actions or measures taken to avoid or reduce risks of injury or damage.
"Workers must follow safety precautions when operating machinery."
From French précaution, from Latin praecavere (to be on one's guard).
The term has been used in English since the 16th century, initially to describe a warning or an action taken to prevent an anticipated event.
Memory tip
Think of it as 'pre-caution': actions *before* something bad.