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.
Scott was mostly used as a free safety with the Rams. Mike Kaye january 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026 Listed at 6-foot-2, 2-1 pounds, Derek Williams has played a variety of roles in the secondary, lining up at both box safety and free safety in 2025. David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026 Jalen Ramsey, a seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback, made it as a free safety in his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025 Trader, who has primarily worked as Miami’s free safety when on the field as defender hadn’t played that role all season. Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Free safety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20safety. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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