safekeeping

noun

safe·​keep·​ing ˈsāf-ˈkē-piŋ How to pronounce safekeeping (audio)
1
: the act or process of preserving in safety
2
: the state of being preserved in safety

Examples of safekeeping in a Sentence

His will is in safekeeping with his lawyer. while she was away on business, the single mom entrusted her daughter into her in-laws' safekeeping
Recent Examples on the Web Night after night the mouse gathered up clothespins, corks, and other miscellaneous objects, stashing them inside a rectangular wooden box for safekeeping. Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 The deputy contacted Florida Fish and Wildlife, who were able to transport the cubs to a secure location for safekeeping. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 1 Feb. 2024 After Diane's death, Tex asked his buddy Sheriff Sills to go out to his ranch and collect his guns for safekeeping. Maureen Maher, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2024 Included is a keepsake box for displaying or safekeeping while tucked away into a drawer. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2023 The sneaker also comes in a cotton shoe bag for dust-free safekeeping, and even that is designed to match the sartorial nature of the release. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2023 Nobody turned the recorder off for safekeeping, and they are programmed to retain only the most recent two hours of audio, which is then automatically overwritten. Sam Dean, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2024 Transferred to the safekeeping of Qatar, the middleman in the hostage deal, the money may be used only to buy food or medicine. Karl Vick, Time, 20 Sep. 2023 Now that source, which Veen purchased from the previous owner more than a decade ago, is kept behind a locked gate for safekeeping. Martha Irvine and Dar Yasin, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'safekeeping.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of safekeeping was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near safekeeping

Cite this Entry

“Safekeeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safekeeping. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

safekeeping

noun
safe·​keep·​ing ˈsāf-ˈkē-piŋ How to pronounce safekeeping (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on safekeeping

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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