safety Hear it!

safety Definition

safety (sāf′tē)

noun pl. -·ties

  1. the quality or condition of being safe; freedom from danger, injury, or damage; security
  2. any of certain devices for preventing an accident or an undesirable effect; specif.,
    1. a catch or locking device on a firearm that prevents it from firing
    2. Slang a condom
  3. ☆ Baseball base hit
  4. ☆ Football
    1. a play in which the defensive team is awarded two points as by tackling the offensive ball carrier behind the offensive team's goal line
    2. a defensive back who is primarily responsible for covering pass receivers in the middle of the defensive backfield

Etymology: ME sauvete < MFr sauveté < OFr salvetet < ML salvitas, safety < L salvus: see safe

adjective

giving safety; reducing danger or harm

safety Synonyms

safety

n.

  1. Freedom from danger

    security, protection, impregnability, surety, sanctuary, refuge, shelter, invulnerability.

  2. *A lock

    lock mechanism, safetycatch, safety lock; see fastener, lock 1.

safety Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • improve: The review group has published an interim report outlining a number of recommendations to improve the safety of the event in 2001.
  • ensure: Also covered are basic rope work skills to ensure safety on steep ground.
  • endanger: Posada was arrested and found with 33 pounds of C-4 plastic explosive and given an eight-year prison sentence for " endangering public safety " .
  • compromise: There can however, be no question of compromising safety public health or the environment " , said Byrne.

Preposition: in

  • workplace: Guidance On Fire Safety At Work This section provides useful sources of information on fire safety in the workplace.

Adjective modifier

  • electrical: They will also offer advice on electrical safety, trip hazards and how to prevent other injuries in the home.
  • microbiological: He served on the Advisory Committee on the microbiological safety of food from its inception until 2000.
  • work-related: Back-up looks at new guidance on work-related road safety.
  • personal: Otherwise, book a taxi and use a reputable company - and read our guide to personal safety when taking taxis.
  • public: The department works closely with other agencies to ensure public safety.

Modifies a noun

  • rep: The Fire Service should encourage greater involvement of the safety reps at the beginning of the risk assessment process.
  • net: Most importantly, Inventor Series offers wannabe 3D users a safety net.
  • regulation: United Biscuits pleaded guilty to two breaches of health safety regulations at a previous hearing.
  • legislation: For information on fire safety legislation, see FSGN No. 19.
  • precaution: Additional Information Pupils must be aware of health & safety precautions with risk assessment carried out.
  • camera: Safety cameras are used where there is a history of speed related or red light running injury crashes.

Noun used with modifier

  • road: The posters depict road safety messages themed around the four seasons.
  • fire: For fire safety reasons, there is a no smoking policy in all of our catered chalets.
  • food: The fundamental question I will address today is: " Food safety - What can be expected from policy makers " ?
  • community: It is a chance to have a chat about the community safety issues.
safety Quotes

Are we so sure that with15 representatives†inacting under the unanimity rule, the deterrent would continue to deter? There may be one finger on the trigger, but there will be15 fingers on the safety catch.

—Stockton

There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangersthat werereal and immediate wastheprocess of a rational mind.Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All hehad to dowas ask; and as soon ashe did, he would no longer be crazyand would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to.Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22, and let out a respectful whistle. 'That's some catch, that Catch-22,' he observed. 'It's the best there is,' Doc Daneeka agreed.

—Heller,Joseph

With a nation, as with a boxer, one of the greatest assurances of safety is to add reach to power.

—Acheson, Dean Gooderham

There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else.

—Thurber,James Grover

Amid the wreck and the misery of nations it is our just exaltation that we have continued superior to all that ambition or despotism could effect; and our still higher exaltation ought to be that we provide not only for our own safety but hold out a prospect for nations now bending under the yoke of tyranny of what the exertions of a free people can effect.

—Pitt,William known as  theYounger

I to the hills will lift mine eyes, from whence doth come mine aid. My safety cometh from the Lord, Who heav'n and earth hath made.

—Scottish Metrical Psalms

Oh, the holiness of always being the injured party. The historically oppressed can find not only sanctity but safety in the state of victimization.When access to a better life has been denied often enough, and successfully enough, one can use the rejection as an excuse to cease all efforts.

—Angelou, Maya originally MayaJohnson

In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed.

—Emerson, RalphWaldo

Dominus illuminatio mea, et salus mea, quem timebo? The Lord is the source of my light and my safety, so whom shall I fear?

—Bible (Vulgate)

There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, at any time.

—Coolidge, (John) Calvin

The Canadians seem to be held together with string and safety pins.

—Acheson, Dean Gooderham

Wenn ichKultur h o« re†entsichere ich meinen Browning! When I hear anyone talk of culture†I take off the safety catch on my Browning!

—Johst, Hanns