safety

American  

[seyf-tee] / ˈseɪf ti /

noun

safeties plural

1. the state of being safe; freedom from the occurrence or risk of injury, danger, or loss.

2. the quality of averting or not causing injury, danger, or loss.

3. a contrivance or device to prevent injury or avert danger.

4. Also called lock, safety catch, safety lock.  a locking or cutoff device that prevents a gun from being fired accidentally.

5. the action of keeping safe.

6. Football.

   1. an act or play in which a player on the offensive team is tackled in his own end zone or downs the ball there, or in which the ball goes out of bounds on a fumble, having last been in bounds in or over the end zone and having last been in the possession of an offensive player.

   2. an award of two points to the opposing team on this play.

   3. Also called safety man.  a player on defense who lines up farthest behind the line of scrimmage.

7. Baseball. a base hit, especially a one-base hit.

8. Slang. a condom.

9. Obsolete. close confinement or custody.

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safety British  

/ ˈseɪftɪ /

noun

1. the quality of being safe

2. freedom from danger or risk of injury

3. a contrivance or device designed to prevent injury

4. American football

   1. Also called: safetyman.  either of two players who defend the area furthest back in the field

   2. a play in which the offensive team causes the ball to cross its own goal line and then grounds the ball behind that line, scoring two points for the opposing team Compare touchback

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• self-safety
  noun
• supersafety
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• safeties
  plural

Etymology

Origin of safety

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English sauvete, from Middle French; equivalent to safe + -ty ²

Explanation

A safety is a device that helps keep you from doing bad things, like the safety on a gun that prevents you from pulling the trigger accidentally. Safety, besides meaning "the state of being safe," is used for things that promote safety. If you designate a special meeting place in case of emergency, that place is a safety. If you use contraception during sex, that's also a safety, to prevent pregnancy. In football it's a safety if a player is tackled behind his own goal line. And if you hit the baseball in a way to ensure you reach the base, that's called a safety too.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

safety safeties

The research has been mixed but the association says evidence of coffee’s safety and even benefits has been growing over time.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

The secluded beauty spot sold at auction for £20,000 in September 2024 to Leisure Estate Investments Ltd, which has discouraged public access because of "inherent safety risks".

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

But insurers and safety advocates argue it’s a more accurate way to determine how likely motorists are to get into a collision — and a method to encourage better driving.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

“This is a bit unusual, fitting for this outbreak perhaps,” said Kalmia Kniel, professor of microbial food safety at the University of Delaware, by email.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026

Sam decided, as he was putting on his jacket for the playground, that when he got home he would have a serious talk with his mom and daddy and Anastasia, too, about safety and health.

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry

New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State — John Harbaugh loves those smart safeties who can play quarterback on the back end of the defense.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026

Last season, the Rams thought their young and talented pass rush could compensate for their decision not to stand pat with the cornerbacks and safeties from the 2024 season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 1, 2026

“He has really good body control,” said Patriots safeties coach Scott Booker.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 5, 2026

Before his stint with the Chargers, O’Leary spent six seasons coaching in different roles at Notre Dame, eventually becoming a defensive backs and safeties coach.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026

This, Xan explained, was for both of their safeties.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill

Related Words

• freedom
• security