precaution

Something you do beforehand to prevent danger, damage, or trouble.

• We took every possible precaution.
• Wear gloves as a precaution when handling broken glass.
• What precautions should we take before the storm?

How to use it: as a precaution (We carried extra water as a precaution.); precaution against something (The lock is a precaution against theft.)

Similar words: safeguard, preventive measure

Common phrases: take a precaution, safety precaution, precaution against something

To warn someone about a possible danger before it happens.

• They precautioned us before we left.
• The captain precautioned his crew against the approaching storm.
• She tried to precaution him about the unsafe bridge.

How to use it: precaution someone against something (The guide precautioned the travellers against crossing the river.)

Similar words: warn, caution

Common phrases: precaution someone, precaution someone against something

To take steps beforehand to protect yourself from something dangerous.

• The villagers precautioned against flooding.
• We must precaution against disease before setting out.
• They precautioned against theft by hiding their money.

How to use it: precaution against something (They precautioned against fire by keeping water nearby.)

Similar words: guard against, take precautions

Common phrases: precaution against something, precaution against fire