safety net

noun

: something that provides security against misfortune or difficulty

Examples of safety net in a Sentence

The program provides a safety net for people who have lost their jobs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The girl then crashed to the ground, tragically missing most of the safety net, according to the footage. Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026 Vonn crashed in a World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on Friday and ended up in the safety nets. Andrew Dampf, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026 Vonn lost control after landing a jump at a World Cup race in Crans-Montana and was seen crashing into the safety nets. Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026 Therefore, having an unconditional series of payments from universal basic income would be an effective safety net for unemployed individuals, Marinescu told Fortune. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for safety net

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of safety net was in 1877

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Cite this Entry

“Safety net.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safety%20net. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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