How to pronounce precaution
Say it like pree-KAW-shun. Precaution has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce precaution. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pree
- KAW
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Precaution pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- preeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- KAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of precaution
American and British speakers say precaution in essentially the same way: /priˈkɔʃən/ in the US and /prɪˈkɔːʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: prih-KAW-shun.
What does precaution mean?
- Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent misfortune or to secure good.“his life was saved by precaution”
- A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act.“to take precautions against risks of accident”
- To warn or caution beforehand.
- To take precaution against.
Where does precaution come from?
From French précaution, Latin praecautio, from praecavere, praecautum (“to guard against beforehand”); prae (“before”) + cavere (“be on one's guard”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying precaution
How do you pronounce precaution?
Say pree-KAW-shun. The American pronunciation is /priˈkɔʃən/. In British English it is /prɪˈkɔːʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in precaution?
Precaution has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KAW). Broken into parts: pree · KAW · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say precaution the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /priˈkɔʃən/ and the British form is /prɪˈkɔːʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.