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free safety

American  

noun

Football.

  1. a member of a secondary, usually the deepest-playing defender, with no specific assignment at the snap of the ball, but often covering the area of the field across from the weak side of the opponent's offensive line against runs and long pass plays.

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.

This time he tried to run for a tying two-point conversion but was tackled short of the goal line by free safety Tavian Talbert with 2:51 left.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2025

He’s played quarterback, running back, tight end, slot receiver, free safety, strong safety, middle linebacker and outside linebacker for the 7-1 Chargers.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2024

While Fabiculanan has played nickel and both safety positions at UW, Esteen has almost exclusively played free safety.

From Seattle Times • May 18, 2024

Additionally, CSU provides an app linking students to the university's police department and offers a free safety escort service for campus and nearby student housing.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2024

Via Pro Football Focus he played only one snap at free safety, the rest at nickel or in the box.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 5, 2024

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.