[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/precautionary/)

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# precautionary

adjective (precautionary)

«precautionary» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Done to stop something bad from happening, before it happens. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/precautionary/#m1)
2. (formal) Done just in case, to be safe, even if the danger may not be real. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/precautionary/#m2)

### In the lessons

Used in safety and news: a «precautionary measure», a «precautionary evacuation», taking a child to hospital «as a precautionary step». It tells the reader there may be no real harm yet. Phrases: «as a precautionary measure», «a precautionary approach».

### Examples

- As a precautionary measure, the school closed early because of the storm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/precautionary/#x1)
- The nurse kept him in for a precautionary check. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/precautionary/#x2)
- The fire alarm sounded, and we left the building as a precautionary step. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/precautionary/#x3)
- The lifeguard closed the beach as a precautionary move after a shark was seen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/precautionary/#x4)
- We packed spare batteries as a precautionary thing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/precautionary/#x5)
- Precautionary signs warned of thin ice on the pond. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/precautionary/#x6)

### Note

Adjective from «precaution» (a step taken to stay safe). It goes before a noun: «a precautionary measure». Fairly formal, often in notices and news. Spelling: pre-caution-ary. Not a maths word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «precautionary»](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/precautionary/): every meaning and example of this page parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«precautionary» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/precautionary.html) on Mova free.