safety
[noun]
Synonyms:
- security, impregnability, protection
- shelter, cover, refuge, sanctuary

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Antonyms: danger
Contrasted words: hazard, jeopardy, peril, risk, threat, instability, vulnerability
Related Words: cover, protection, shelter, defense, impregnability, inviolability, invulnerability

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

safe‧ty S2 W2 /ˈseɪfti/ noun (plural safeties)
[Word Family: noun: safe, safety; adverb: safely; adjective: safe ≠ unsafe]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: sauveté, from sauf; ⇒ safe¹]

1. NOT IN DANGER [uncountable] when someone or something is safe from danger or harm
safety of
measures to improve the health and safety of employees
in safety
We were able to watch the lions in complete safety.
for safety
For safety, always climb with a partner.
You shouldn’t travel alone, for safety’s sake.
For your own safety, please do not smoke inside the plane.

2. HARMFUL/NOT HARMFUL [uncountable] how safe something is to use, do etc
safety of
Campaigners have challenged the safety of genetically modified foods.
safety standards/regulations/precautions etc (=things that are done in order to make sure that something is safe)
The device meets safety standards.
Lower speed limits are part of a new road safety campaign.

3. sb’s safety how safe someone is in a particular situation:
The boy had been missing for five days and there were fears for his safety.

4. SAFE PLACE [uncountable] a place where you are safe from danger
safety of
30,000 people fled to the safety of the capital.
get/lead/drag etc somebody to safety
Firefighters led the children to safety.
They reached safety seconds before the bomb went off.

5. there is safety in numbers used to say that it is safer to be in a group than alone

6. SPORT [countable] a way of getting two points in American football by making the other team put the ball down in its own goal

7. GUN [countable] American English a lock on a gun that stops anyone from shooting it by accident Synonym : safety catch British English

8. safety harness/helmet/glasses etc equipment etc that keeps you safe when you are doing something dangerous

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

safety
noun
ADJ. extra, greater The seat is bolted in place for extra safety.
comparative, reasonable, relative A blizzard forced the climbers back to the relative safety of their tents.
perfect Walkways allow visitors to enter the caves in perfect safety.
child, passenger, personal, public The house has to be rearranged with a view to child safety.
fire, food, nuclear, etc. | air, home, industrial, occupational, road, traffic, etc.
VERB + SAFETY ensure, guarantee | improve | fear for Police fear for the safety of the missing children.
SAFETY + NOUN controls, improvements, limits, measures, precautions, procedures, provisions | guidelines, laws, legislation, levels, policy, recommendations, regulations, requirements, rules, standards | violation | hazard, risk | check, inspection | inspector, officer, official, watchdog The plan was rejected by the government nuclear safety watchdog.
record | aspect, considerations, factor, implications, issues, matters | awareness The police are conducting a safety awareness programme in local schools.
campaign, initiative, training | belt, equipment, features, harness, helmet, rope The car has many safety features, including anti-skid braking.
catch, device, valve | barrier, net (often figurative) State benefits provide a safety net for the very poor.
glass, pin, razor, seat
PREP. for ~ The stairs are fitted with handrails either side for safety.
for your own ~ The police gave him protection for his own safety.
in ~ The people want to be able to walk the streets at night in safety.
to ~ We managed to run to safety before the building collapsed.
PHRASES for safety reasons For safety reasons, children should not operate the machine unsupervised. | health and safety The company was fined by the health and safety inspectors.
on safety grounds The playground was closed down on safety grounds.
a place of safety The refugees finally reached a place of safety.
safety first When cycling on the roads, remember: safety first.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

safety

public safety
The police must put public safety first.
personal safety
She didn’t seem to care about her own personal safety.
road safety (=for people driving and walking on roads)
Extra lighting would improve road safety in this area.
food safety (=how safe food is to eat)
New food safety laws say that sandwiches for sale in shops must be kept refrigerated.
safety standards (=official rules designed to make something safe)
He claims safety standards on ferries are still not high enough.
safety regulations (=rules designed to make something safe)
She was sold an electric fire that broke all the safety regulations.
safety equipment
Your employer should provide the necessary safety equipment.
a safety measure (=something that is done to make something safe)
New safety measures have been introduced after two horses died in last year’s race.
a safety hazard (=something which may be dangerous)
The firing range is poorly designed and poses a significant safety hazard.
a safety record (=figures showing how safe or unsafe something has been in the past)
The aircraft has a good safety record.
health and safety (=things that are done to prevent people becoming ill or having accidents during an activity)
The Agency’s function is to promote health and safety at work.
improve safety
New plans have been announced to improve safety on the railways.
ensure/guarantee sb’s safety
There were few laws or regulations to ensure the safety of workers.
fear for sb’s safety (=be afraid that they will not be safe)
They fear for the safety of relatives they have left behind.
for your own safety
He had been kept in custody for his own safety.
for safety reasons (also for safety’s sake) (=in order to make something safe)
For safety reasons visitors won’t be able to go down the tunnels.
as a safety precaution (=in order to prevent accidents from happening, when this is possible but not very likely)
A fence was put around the lake as a safety precaution.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

safety
noun
BAD: In Japan even the big cities are very safety.
GOOD: In Japan even the big cities are very safe.
BAD: She doesn't feel safety when she is on her own.
GOOD: She doesn't feel safe when she is on her own.
BAD: Promise that you will drive safety.
GOOD: Promise that you will drive safely.

Usage Note:
Safety is a noun (NOT an adjective/adverb): 'The boy has been missing for six days, and there are fears for his safety.' 'The firefighters rescued the children and carried them to safety.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲