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 chainsaw.
4
: one that astonishes or commands attention
Some shoes you see … these days are a caution.—
Esquire
EsquireExamples 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
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Kinahan’s caution came too late.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Those reports came from Illinois and Arkansas, though officials caution the numbers are still preliminary and could change as National Weather Service damage surveys continue over the coming days.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for caution
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
But understanding the caution doesn’t lessen the impact of his absence.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
Kinahan’s caution came too late.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
But Bohn cautioned that the effect may not work for everyone.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Those reports came from Illinois and Arkansas, though officials caution the numbers are still preliminary and could change as National Weather Service damage surveys continue over the coming days.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for caution
Cite this Entry
“Caution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caution. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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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