free safety

noun

: a safety in football who has no particular receiver to cover in a man-to-man defense

Examples of free safety in a Sentence

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.
And while Ransom was productive as a rookie, his physical set is more like Tre’von Moehrig’s than that of a rangy free safety who can roam the back end. Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026 Had no idea what free safety was. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026 Starting free safety Malik Hooker is entering the final year of his contract. Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026 Conner plays everywhere, from the box to the nickel to dropping back as a free safety. Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for free safety

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free safety was in 1958

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Cite this Entry

“Free safety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20safety. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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