caution

Caution is being careful and planning ways to avoid danger or being hurt.

Example: He used caution as he climbed the old wooden steps.

A caution is a warning about what might happen in the future.

Example: The doctor gave me a caution about eating too much.

A caution can be a legal warning and that a repeat of the action could end up as an arrest.

Example: The police gave the boy a caution after he was caught stealing from the shop.

To caution is to give a warning or advice.

Example: His mother cautioned him about staying out too late at night.