safety pin

¹ American  

noun

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

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safety-pin ² American  

[seyf-tee-pin] / ˈseɪf tiˌpɪn /

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.

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safety pin British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of safety pin¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Origin of safety-pin²

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

“But all the negotiation channels or mechanisms that North and South Korea had for preventing escalation or misunderstandings are gone. The safety pin has been pulled out.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2024

The clothing items found with her remains included a dark-green sweater with a white safety pin attached to the front, dark-green trousers and a long-sleeved pink sweater.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 14, 2023

Many others used a much more effective tool - the ubiquitous safety pin.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2023

One T-shirt showed Queen Elizabeth II with a safety pin piercing her lip.

From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2022

The $2,500 check I carried in my parka, fastened to the lining with a safety pin.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell