safety net
Americannoun
-
a large net rigged between a person, as a trapeze performer, and the ground as protection in a fall.
-
something that provides a margin of protection or security.
the safety net of federal credit for financial institutions.
noun
-
a net used in a circus to catch high-wire and trapeze artistes if they fall
-
any means of protection from hardship or loss, such as insurance
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of safety net
First recorded in 1945–50
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.
It acted as a safety net and kicked in straight away when his heart was in trouble, allowing him to recover much more quickly.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
The authority is due to expire on June 12 unless Congress acts, although the program has a legal safety net that could allow some operations to continue under existing court certifications.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
These med-à-terres are a safety net for seniors who are finding that, while they can export wealth, they can’t easily duplicate relationships with top-tier oncologists or cardiologists.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
By stripping away that maturity safety net, the ETF wrapper can leave investors with continuous exposure to interest-rate volatility and turn what’s designed to be an inflation shield into a more speculative market trade.
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
All too soon the coins were gone, and with them, our only safety net.
From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson
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.
