safety

[ seyf-tee ]

/ ˈseɪf ti /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR safety ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural safe·ties.

the state of being safe; freedom from the occurrence or risk of injury, danger, or loss.

the quality of averting or not causing injury, danger, or loss.

a contrivance or device to prevent injury or avert danger.

Also called lock, safety catch, safety lock. a locking or cutoff device that prevents a gun from being fired accidentally.

the action of keeping safe.

Football.

an act or play in which a player on the offensive team is tackled in his own end zone or downs the ball there, or in which the ball goes out of bounds on a fumble, having last been in bounds in or over the end zone and having last been in the possession of an offensive player.Compare touchback.
an award of two points to the opposing team on this play.
Also called safety man. a player on defense who lines up farthest behind the line of scrimmage.

Baseball. a base hit, especially a one-base hit.

Slang. a condom.

Obsolete. close confinement or custody.

Nearby words

safecracker, safeguard, safekeeping, safelight, safely, safety, safety belt, safety car, safety catch, safety chain, safety circuit

Origin of safety

1250–1300; Middle English sauvete < Middle French. See safe, -ty²

Related formsself-safe·ty, nounsu·per·safe·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for safety

Not for the benefit of the harasser, of course, but for your own safety.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
There was virtually no government oversight of safety and operational standards.
Who Will Get AsiaAir 8501’s Black Boxes?|Clive Irving|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Helicopters lifted pregnant women and children to safety first.
‘We’re Going to Die’: Survivors Recount Greek Ferry Fire Horror|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before the Maidan revolution, Russian political refugees living in Kiev were worried about their safety.
Russians Plot Exiled Government in Kiev|Anna Nemtsova|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In the safety of the light of day, we positively revel in our facts.
On Torture, Chuck Johnson & Sondheim|James Poulos|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was the only method of safety, and I am glad we have it at last.
Current History, Vol. VIII, No. 3, June 1918|Various
Nevertheless it was so deceptive that when the Nell came in sight she was not close enough to the left shore for safety.
A Canyon Voyage|Frederick S. Dellenbaugh
Only in forbidding tenement-house manufacture absolutely can there be any safety for either consumer or producer.
Prisoners of Poverty|Helen Campbell
Luckily nothing more happened, and they were able to reach the opposite shore in safety.
The Boy Scouts on Belgian Battlefields|Lieut. Howard Payson
She was almost exhilarated by the feeling of safety which enveloped her like comforting warmth.
A Bed of Roses|W. L. George

British Dictionary definitions for safety

safety

/ (ˈseɪftɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the quality of being safe

freedom from danger or risk of injury

a contrivance or device designed to prevent injury

American football

Also called: safetyman either of two players who defend the area furthest back in the field
a play in which the offensive team causes the ball to cross its own goal line and then grounds the ball behind that line, scoring two points for the opposing teamCompare touchback

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for safety

safety

early 14c., from Old French sauvete "safety, safeguard; salvation; security, surety," earlier salvetet (11c., Modern French sauveté), from Medieval Latin salvitatem (nominative salvitas) "safety," from Latin salvus (see safe (adj.)). Meaning "trigger-lock on a gun" is attested from 1881.

As a North American football position, first recorded 1931. As a type of score against one's own team, 1881. Safety-valve, which diminishes the risk of explosion, is from 1797; figurative sense recorded from 1818. Safety-net in literal sense (in machinery) by 1916, later of aerial circus performances (1920s); figurative use by 1950. Safety-first as an accident-prevention slogan first recorded 1873.

safety

noun, plural safe·ties.

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Nearby words

Origin of safety

Examples from the Web for safety

British Dictionary definitions for safety

safety

noun plural -ties

Word Origin and History for safety

safety