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.
Bet $5 to win the $200 bonus or opt for the $1,000 safety net bet. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 In addition to harming patients, this trend is not sustainable for safety net hospitals like Denver Health that already provide millions of dollars annually in uncompensated care. Sarah Stella, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025 At the top of the list is Cincinnati Children's, which counts on the government for nearly half of its gross revenue, followed by UC Health, a social-safety net hospital, at 21%. Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 2025 Smart jokes are funny, while eye-rolling bits get the safety net of being corny as a result of desperate producers trying to juice up their franchise. William Earl, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Safety net.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safety%20net. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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