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.
Attorneys for Meta say the company discloses risks and makes efforts to weed out harmful content and experiences -- acknowledging that some bad material still gets through its safety net. Morgan Lee The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026 Attorneys for Meta say the company discloses risks and makes efforts to weed out harmful content and experiences — acknowledging that some bad material still gets through its safety net. Morgan Lee, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026 Walz said there was an emphasis on protecting social safety net programs, but agreed that fraud prevention must remain a priority. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026 But many families don’t have that safety net. Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 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 9 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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