safeˈguard noun

1. A device, condition, or arrangement ensuring safety
2. A precaution
3. A safe-conduct

transitive verb

1. To protect (esp interests or rights)
2. To protect (eg domestic manufacturers and industry) against foreign competition

safe haven noun

An area, esp in a war zone or a country with internal conflict, set aside for the protection of ethnic or religious minorities

safe house noun (informal)

A place (esp one kept by the intelligence services or care agencies) unknown to one's pursuers, where one can safely hide

safeˈkeeping noun

1. Keeping in safety
2. Safe custody

safe light noun

A light used in a photographic darkroom, etc, which emits light of an intensity and colour which will not damage the materials being processed

safe period noun

That part of the menstrual cycle during which conception is most unlikely

safe seat noun

A parliamentary seat that the incumbent political party will almost certainly win again in an election

safe sex noun

Sexual intercourse minimizing the risk of transmission of disease, eg by the use of condoms

safety arch noun

An arch built into the body of a wall to relieve the pressure of weight from above

safety belt noun

1. A belt for fastening a person to a fixed object while carrying out a dangerous operation
2. A belt for restraining the occupant of a seat in a car, aircraft, etc, a precaution against injury in a crash

safety bicycle noun (old)

A low-wheeled bicycle for general use

safety bolt noun

The safety lock of a firearm

safety cage noun

1. A cage with a safety catch to prevent it falling if the hoisting rope breaks (mining)
2. (in a motor-vehicle chassis) a specially strengthened framework around the seating part to give maximum protection to driver and passengers in a crash (also safety cell)

safety catch noun

Any catch to provide protection against something, such as the accidental firing of a gun

safety curtain noun

A fireproof curtain between stage and audience in a theatre

safety factor noun

The ratio between the breaking stress in a member, structure, or material, and the safe permissible stress in it

safety film noun

Photographic or cinematographic film with a non-flammable or slow-burning base of cellulose acetate or polyester

safety fuse noun

1. A slow-burning fuse that can be lit at a safe distance
2. A fuse inserted for safety in an electric circuit

safety glass noun

1. A laminate of plastic between sheets of glass, used eg in vehicle windscreens
2. Glass reinforced with wire, or otherwise toughened to avoid shattering (also laminated glass)

safety lamp noun

A miners' lamp that will not ignite inflammable gases

safety light noun

1. A warning light
2. A light that will not readily cause a fire

safety lock noun

1. A lock that cannot be picked by ordinary means
2. (in firearms) a device for preventing accidental discharge, a safety catch

safety match noun

A match that can be ignited only on a specially prepared surface

safety net noun

1. A net stretched beneath an acrobat, etc, during a rehearsal or performance, in case he or she should fall
2. Any precautionary measure or means of protection from injury, hardship, etc

safety officer noun

An official whose responsibility is to ensure that safety regulations are adhered to

safety paper noun

Paper difficult to imitate or tamper with without detection, such as that used for banknotes

safety pin noun

1. A pin in the form of a clasp with a guard covering its point
2. A pin for locking a piece of machinery or a device, eg that used to prevent detonation of a grenade, a mine, etc

safety plug noun

An electrical plug with a fuse that melts when the temperature rises too high

safety razor noun

A razor incorporating a guard for the blade which prevents deep cutting of the skin

safety rein noun

A rein for preventing a horse from running away

safety shot noun

(in snooker and billiards) a shot intended to prevent one's opponent from scoring with his or her next shot

safety valve noun

1. A valve that opens when the pressure becomes too great
2. Any harmless outlet for pent-up emotion, energy, etc

safe word noun

A word prearranged to be uttered by a person indulging in masochistic sexual activity when they genuinely wish to stop

be or err on the safe side

To choose the safer alternative

place of safety order

(until 1991) a legal order, effective for not more than 28 days, allowing a child to be taken into care to avoid further or possible physical harm by parents, etc

play safe

1. To act in a manner that minimizes the risk of defeat, injury or loss
2. To act in a cautious way

safe and sound

Secure and uninjured

safe as houses (informal)

Very safe