noun [oftenpl.]
1 ~ (against sth) something that is done in advance in order to prevent problems or to avoid danger:
safety precautions * precautions against fire * You must take all reasonable precautions to protect yourself and your family. * I'll keep the letter as a precaution.
2 (precautions) [pl.] a way of referring to CONTRACEPTION:
We didn't take any precautions and I got pregnant.
precautionary adjective:
He was kept in hospital overnight as a precautionary measure.
