Meaning & use
precept
A general rule intended to guide behavior or thought, especially concerning morality.
See it in a sentence
The scout troop lives by the precept that you should leave a campsite cleaner than you found it.
Her grandmother's favorite precept was to always tell the truth, even when it was hard.
A note on using this word
A precept guides behavior rather than legally enforcing it; in clinical training, precepting is used informally as a verb meaning to supervise a trainee.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
To supervise and mentor a student or trainee through hands-on clinical practice, especially in nursing or medicine.
The senior nurse agreed to precept two new graduates during their first rotation.
Make it your own
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