safety pin

¹

noun

1. a pin bent back on itself to form a spring, with a guard to cover the point.

safety-pin

²

[seyf-tee-pin]

verb (used with object)

safety-pinned, safety-pinning 

1. to secure or affix with a safety pin.

   to safety-pin a child's mittens to his coat sleeve.

safety pin

noun

1. a spring wire clasp with a covering catch, made so as to shield the point when closed and to prevent accidental unfastening

2. another word for pin

Word History and Origins

Origin of safety pin¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Origin of safety pin²

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Looking on, his instructor crossed himself as Kolya pulled the safety pin and threw the grenade.

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The costume department must have used every safety pin in town.

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Maralyn crafted a fishing line, using a safety pin from a first-aid kit and a piece of string, and survived on raw fish, turtles and small sharks.

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For those paying close attention, however, it's clear that the GOP is being held together with safety pins.

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Sometimes you don’t even need safety pins, and after dry cleaning, it stays on still sticky.

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