1 [noncount] : freedom from harm or danger : the state of being safe
▪ The changes were made in the interest of public safety. ▪ He made some suggestions about how to improve airline safety. ▪ bike/traffic safety ▪ I'm worried about the safety of the people who were left behind. ▪ He sought safety in a church. [=he went into a church to be safe] ▪ She fears for her own safety. [=she is afraid because she thinks she is in danger] ▪ We were reluctant to leave the relative safety of our hotel. ▪ She was only a mile from the safety of her home when the accident occurred. ▪ The climbers were roped together for safety. = The climbers were roped together for safety's sake. ▪ There is safety in numbers. [=you are safer in a group of people than you are when you are alone] ▪ “Safety first” [=the most important thing is to be safe]—that's what I always say. — often used before another noun ▪ safety experts/hazards/precautions ▪ a safety violation ▪ a safety harness/catch ▪ safety devices/features ▪ safety glasses/goggles 2 [noncount] : the state of not being dangerous or harmful
▪ The car has been redesigned for improved/added/increased safety. ▪ The toys are inspected for safety. 3 [noncount] : a place that is free from harm or danger : a safe place
▪ They were led/pulled/dragged to safety by the rescuers. ▪ The injured hiker was finally able to reach safety. 4 [count] US : a device that prevents a gun from being fired accidentally —called also safety catch 5 [count] American football a : a defensive player whose position is far back from the line of scrimmage
b : a score of two points for the defensive team when an offensive player who has the ball is tackled behind his own team's goal line