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.
The Colts refused to put him in the same position in Indy, upgrading the secondary with the pricey free-agent additions of free safety Cam Bynum and cornerback Charvarius Ward. James Boyd, New York Times, 16 May 2025 Over his final two college seasons, Jones played 363 snaps in the slot, 400 snaps in the box and 265 snaps at free safety, according to Pro Football Focus. Daniel Popper, New York Times, 1 May 2025 Even as a rookie, Moore is a player who should be able to contribute as a nickel/free safety when needed. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025 Sure, the team would probably like an upgrade over Tony Adams at strong safety, but Starks has played his best football as a free safety. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Free safety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20safety. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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