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

Senior Jordan Lester will step in as the starting free safety for the season opener against North Carolina. — Steven Johnson. Produce With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

Of his 445 defensive snaps, 225 were at free safety, 120 were at cornerback and 99 were in the box lined up as either a linebacker or a safety. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Phase two, to be completed within five years, tackles the more extensive changes closest to the home, including the one-foot vegetation-free safety zone and replacement of combustible gates. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

And she’s constantly tasked with slowing down some of the best opposing players in the WNBA on some nights, and playing a free safety role to help her teammates on the defensive end. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for free safety

• biosafety