caution

[[t]kɔ͟ːʃ(ə)n[/t]]

cautions, cautioning, cautioned

1) N-UNCOUNT Caution is great care which you take in order to avoid possible danger.

Extreme caution should be exercised when buying part-worn tyres...

The Chancellor is a man of caution.

2) VERB If someone cautions you, they warn you about problems or danger.

[V against n/-ing] Tony cautioned against misrepresenting the situation...

[V n against/about n/-ing] The statement clearly was intended to caution Seoul against attempting to block the council's action again...

[V that] He cautioned that opposition attacks on the ruling party would not further political co-operation. [Also V n that, V n to-inf]

Syn:

warning

N-UNCOUNT

Caution is also a noun.

There was a note of caution for the Treasury in the figures.

3) VERB: usu passive If someone who has broken the law is cautioned by the police, they are warned that if they break the law again official action will be taken against them. [BRIT]

[be V-ed] The two men were cautioned but police say they will not be charged...

[be V-ed] Tapp was eventually cautioned for wasting police time.

N-COUNT

Caution is also a noun.

In November 1987 Paula escaped with a caution. In October 1988 she was fined.

4) VERB: usu passive If someone who has been arrested is cautioned, the police warn them that anything they say may be used as evidence in a trial. [BRIT]

[be V-ed] Nobody was cautioned after arrest.

5) PHRASE: V inflects If you throw caution to the wind, you behave in a way that is not considered sensible or careful.

I threw caution to the wind and rode as fast as I could.

6) to err on the side of caution → see err