safe space

American  

[seyf speys] / ˈseɪf ˈspeɪs /

noun

1. a place that provides a physically and emotionally safe environment for a person or group of people, especially a place where people can freely express themselves without fear of prejudice, negative judgment, etc..

   a safe space for single moms to share their experiences.

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Usage

What does safe space mean? A safe space is a physical or metaphorical place for people, usually of marginalized identities, to feel free of judgment or harm

Etymology

Origin of safe space

First recorded in 2005–10

Example Sentences

But these workshops, she explains, are "a safe space for women to make mistakes and grow, perhaps for the first time in their lives".

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

In 2014, Rivera-Amador and Hollinquest founded the Radical Monarchs in Oakland — giving girls and gender expansive youth of color ages 8 through 13 a safe space to practice self-love, sisterhood and activism.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

And 12-step support groups, including Debtors Anonymous, provide a safe space to talk about your willingness to splurge.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

“Saturday Night Live” will always be a safe space for politicians who don’t mind laughing at themselves.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026

Maybe politics and borders were supposed to keep us apart, but David and I built a safe space, a nest where our differences brought us together.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed