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
Conner plays everywhere, from the box to the nickel to dropping back as a free safety.
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Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
Hudson is one of only seven three-time, first-team all-conference players in program history, as Hudson was first-team All-Big Eight at cornerback as a sophomore and senior, and also earned that distinction as a free safety as a junior.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Carter was a second-team All-Sun Belt pick who played both strong safety and free safety and tied for second in the FBS with six interceptions last season.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Fields was voted Co-Defensive Player of the Year in Conference USA and should slide into Clark’s position at free safety.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
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Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
Hudson is one of only seven three-time, first-team all-conference players in program history, as Hudson was first-team All-Big Eight at cornerback as a sophomore and senior, and also earned that distinction as a free safety as a junior.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Carter was a second-team All-Sun Belt pick who played both strong safety and free safety and tied for second in the FBS with six interceptions last season.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Fields was voted Co-Defensive Player of the Year in Conference USA and should slide into Clark’s position at free safety.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for free safety
Cite this Entry
“Free safety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20safety. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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