safeguard
Americannoun
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something that serves as a protection or defense or that ensures safety.
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a permit for safe passage.
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a guard or convoy.
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a mechanical device for ensuring safety.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a person or thing that ensures protection against danger, damage, injury, etc
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a document authorizing safe-conduct
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has safeguardedperfect 3rd person singular
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have safeguardedperfect
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are safeguardingprogressive
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safeguardingparticiple
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has been safeguardingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is safeguardingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been safeguardingperfect progressive
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am safeguardingprogressive 1st person singular
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safeguardssingular 3rd person
Past
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had safeguardedperfect
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was safeguardingprogressive singular
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had been safeguardingperfect progressive
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safeguardedparticiple
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were safeguardingprogressive plural
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safeguardedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of safeguard
1325–75; Middle English savegarde (noun) safe conduct < Middle French salvegarde, sauvegarde. See safe, guard
Explanation
A safeguard is a defense or precaution. You could describe a flu shot as a safeguard against getting sick, for example. Safeguards protect against something negative, whether it's an attacking army invading a country or a boy you don't like much asking you to the prom. A store's security system is a safeguard against theft, and a secret password is a safeguard against your sister reading your email. You can use it as a verb too: "We clearly need to safeguard our Halloween candy so Mom and Dad don't steal it after we go to bed."
Vocabulary lists containing safeguard
Declaration of the Rights of Woman (1791)
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Herbert Hoover on "Rugged Individualism" (1928)
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A Single Shard
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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.
In either case, indexes typically have an additional safeguard.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
The Hill Group said it worked with ecologists and the council throughout the demolition of Regent House to ensure works complied with planning requirements and to safeguard wildlife.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
Though not well known and perennially underenforced, this clause provides an important hook for congressional action to safeguard an inclusive, multiracial democracy.
From Slate • Jun. 3, 2026
“Any attempt to interfere with voting or election operations is taken seriously. We will continue working closely with law enforcement and other partners to safeguard the voting process and ensure voters can participate with confidence.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026
To safeguard our society, a system of laws has been created.
From "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers
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.
