safeguard
Americannoun
-
something that serves as a protection or defense or that ensures safety.
-
a permit for safe passage.
-
a guard or convoy.
-
a mechanical device for ensuring safety.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a person or thing that ensures protection against danger, damage, injury, etc
-
a document authorizing safe-conduct
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
safeguardsimple
-
safeguardssimple
-
have safeguardedperfect
-
has safeguardedperfect
-
am safeguardingprogressive
-
are safeguardingprogressive
-
is safeguardingprogressive
-
have been safeguardingperfect progressive
-
has been safeguardingperfect progressive
Past
-
safeguardedsimple
-
had safeguardedperfect
-
was safeguardingprogressive
-
were safeguardingprogressive
-
had been safeguardingperfect progressive
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)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Herbert Hoover on "Rugged Individualism" (1928)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Single Shard
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 interior ministry said they had been deployed to monitor the situation and to safeguard lives and property.
From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026
In its annual report, published Sunday, the BIS -- considered the central bank of central banks -- called on monetary policy makers to "act now", to help safeguard the stability of the global economy.
From Barron's • Jun. 28, 2026
It was established as a safeguard against arbitrary and unlawful imprisonment, so if a judge finds the government’s reasoning insufficient, they hold the power to immediately order the prisoner’s release with sufficient legal grounds.
From Slate • Jun. 18, 2026
The idea to safeguard King’s rights to the speech came at the last minute.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026
First a corsair’s cellar, built to safeguard gold, weapons, an eccentric’s beekeeping equipment.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
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.
