safe space

noun

: a place (as on a college campus) intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations

… student volunteers put up posters advertising that a "safe space" would be available for anyone who found the debate too upsetting.

—Judith Shulevitz

Women, sexual assault victims, people of color, transgender students. College campuses have created "safe spaces" for all sorts of marginalized groups.

—Catherine Rampell

Examples of safe space in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a 19-year-old from the inner city of Kansas City, Darrion Nimrod created The Outsiders Social Club as a safe space for young adults who were combating their mental health. —Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026

Clubs like Crush not only continue the legacy of what Oak Lawn is, but also provide jobs, community and a safe space, David Perre said. —Timia Cobb breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026

When the cold, snow, and early sunsets make long walks difficult, dog parks offer a safe space for dogs to socialize and burn off energy instead of being cooped up indoors. —Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2026

Providing lots of cover in your yard will give owls a safe space to sleep. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for safe space

• aerospace
• anatase
• anyplace
• commonplace
• cyberspace
• database
• diabase
• diastase
• dnase
• elastase
• fireplace
• hyperspace