safety pin
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
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a spring wire clasp with a covering catch, made so as to shield the point when closed and to prevent accidental unfastening
-
another word for pin
Etymology
Origin of safety pin1
First recorded in 1855–60
Origin of safety-pin2
First recorded in 1915–20
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The clothing items found with her remains included a dark-green sweater with a white safety pin attached to the front, dark-green trousers and a long-sleeved pink sweater.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 14, 2023
The next day, Ms Shergill swapped her flat shoes with stilettos and boarded the bus, armed with a safety pin.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2023
“My safety pin busted out of my pants, as I was running,” Glasper joked while pulling up his pants on the Microsoft Theater stage after winning the award on Sunday.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2023
You get the feeling she probably has a safety pin and a spare handkerchief in her handbag, and maybe caramels for the grandkids.
From Washington Post • Nov. 11, 2022
The $2,500 check I carried in my parka, fastened to the lining with a safety pin.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.