safeguard
verb /ˈseɪfɡɑːd/
/ˈseɪfɡɑːrd/
[transitive, intransitive] (formal)Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they safeguard | /ˈseɪfɡɑːd/ /ˈseɪfɡɑːrd/ |
| he / she / it safeguards | /ˈseɪfɡɑːdz/ /ˈseɪfɡɑːrdz/ |
| past simple safeguarded | /ˈseɪfɡɑːdɪd/ /ˈseɪfɡɑːrdɪd/ |
| past participle safeguarded | /ˈseɪfɡɑːdɪd/ /ˈseɪfɡɑːrdɪd/ |
| -ing form safeguarding | /ˈseɪfɡɑːdɪŋ/ /ˈseɪfɡɑːrdɪŋ/ |
- to protect something/somebody from loss, harm or damage; to keep something/somebody safe
- safeguard something to safeguard a person’s interests
- It is hoped that the order will safeguard jobs at the plant.
- safeguard something/somebody against/from something The new card will safeguard the company against fraud.
- safeguard against something The leaflet explains how to safeguard against dangers in the home.
Extra Examples- This legislation does not adequately safeguard the rights of consumers.
- Try to safeguard the young plants from frost.
- We must take steps to safeguard our environment against these threats.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- adequately
- properly
- be necessary to
- help (to)
- be designed to
- …
- against
- from
Word Originlate Middle English (denoting protection or safe conduct): from Old French sauve garde, from sauve ‘safe’ + garde ‘guard’.