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

Her safe space is at home, but then insecurity and danger move in. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026

My new cozy fantasy romance, The Hocus Pocus Handbook, offers softness, tenderness and a safe space for readers, just as my counseling office will for clients. — Ann Aguirre, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026

This day was co-created by Home Girls Unite and Eldest Daughter Club, a safe space for eldest daughters who face challenges in their homes, such as taking care of younger siblings or financially supporting their families. — Mariyam Muhammad, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2026

Breanna Stewart, the New York Liberty star and all-time UConn women’s basketball great, has always seen the WNBA as an inclusive place that has served as a safe space for both its fans and the players. — Doug Feinberg, Hartford Courant, 22 Aug. 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