/ ˈseɪfti; NAmE / noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U ] the state of being safe and protected from danger or harm :
a place where children can play in safety
The police are concerned for the safety of the 12-year-old boy who has been missing for three days.
He was kept in custody for his own safety .
2.
[ U ] the state of not being dangerous :
I'm worried about the safety of the treatment.
safety standards
a local campaign to improve road safety
The airline has an excellent safety record .
3.
[ U ] a place where you are safe :
I managed to swim to safety .
We watched the lions from the safety of the car.
They reached safety seconds before the building was engulfed in flames.
4.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) = safety catch
5.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) (in American football ) a defending player who plays in a position far away from the other team
•
IDIOMS
- safety first
- there's safety in numbers
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French sauvete , from medieval Latin salvitas , from Latin salvus safe.