safety

American  

[seyf-tee] / ˈseɪf ti /

noun

plural

safeties

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

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

3. a contrivance or device to prevent injury or avert danger.

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

5. the action of keeping safe.

6. Football.

   1. 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.

   2. an award of two points to the opposing team on this play.

   3. Also called safety man.  a player on defense who lines up farthest behind the line of scrimmage.

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

8. Slang. a condom.

9. Obsolete. close confinement or custody.

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safety British  

/ ˈseɪftɪ /

noun

1. the quality of being safe

2. freedom from danger or risk of injury

3. a contrivance or device designed to prevent injury

4. American football

   1. Also called: safetyman.  either of two players who defend the area furthest back in the field

   2. 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 team Compare touchback

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Other Word Forms

• self-safety
  noun
• supersafety
  noun

Etymology

Origin of safety

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English sauvete, from Middle French; equivalent to safe + -ty ²

Explanation

A safety is a device that helps keep you from doing bad things, like the safety on a gun that prevents you from pulling the trigger accidentally. Safety, besides meaning "the state of being safe," is used for things that promote safety. If you designate a special meeting place in case of emergency, that place is a safety. If you use contraception during sex, that's also a safety, to prevent pregnancy. In football it's a safety if a player is tackled behind his own goal line. And if you hit the baseball in a way to ensure you reach the base, that's called a safety too.

Example Sentences

Researchers will also need to answer key questions about dosing, timing, long term safety, and whether the benefits apply to human skin, surgical recovery, diabetic wounds, or other slow healing conditions.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2026

In trials, patients have demonstrated thought-controlled cursor navigation and robotic arm manipulation -- genuine breakthroughs, although ethicists and regulators have raised questions about privacy and long-term safety.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

"Dolygaer remains committed to the highest standards of safety and will be cooperating fully with any further inquiries," they added.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

The report, Botterell noted, stated that the strategy during the Eaton fire was to prioritize “life safety first, perimeter control, and defending building as resources allowed.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Jonah thought about grabbing his sister, holding her back, dragging her away to Mom and Dad and safety.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• freedom
• security