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 caution—
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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
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Space heaters, which are a source of winter home fires, should be used with caution, on hard surfaces and anything flammable should be at least three feet away.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
Julia Mueller, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
Meta declined to participate in follow-up interviews for this story, but Niantic’s McClendon cautioned not to underestimate the complexity of building a scanning tool like Hyperscape.
—Janko Roettgers, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for caution 
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Noun
For pet owners dealing with missing animals, experts recommend checking local shelters, posting on neighborhood networks, and exercising caution when approached by strangers claiming to have found their pet.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Space heaters, which are a source of winter home fires, should be used with caution, on hard surfaces and anything flammable should be at least three feet away.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
Though Biden has committed to a peaceful transfer of power, he’s cautioned that Trump poses a threat to democracy.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
Meta declined to participate in follow-up interviews for this story, but Niantic’s McClendon cautioned not to underestimate the complexity of building a scanning tool like Hyperscape.
—Janko Roettgers, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for caution
Articles Related to caution
Dictionary Entries Near caution
Cite this Entry
“Caution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caution. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
caution
1 of 2 noun
cau·tion
ˈkȯ-shən 
1
2
: carefulness in regard to danger
3
: someone or something that astonishes or catches one's attention
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