safety

[ seyf-tee ]

/ ˈseɪf ti /

Save This Word!

See 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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of safety

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

OTHER WORDS FROM safety

self-safety, nounsu·per·safe·ty, noun

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

safety

Origin of safety

OTHER WORDS FROM safety

Words related to safety

British Dictionary definitions for safety