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.
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 The Steelers already have their starting tandem in place with Minkah Fitzpatrick at free safety and DeShon Elliott at strong safety. Mike Defabo, New York Times, 26 Mar. 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 17 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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