safeguard

1 of 2

noun

safe·​guard ˈsāf-ˌgärd 

1

a

: pass, safe-conduct

b

: convoy, escort

2

a

: a precautionary measure, stipulation, or device

b

: a technical contrivance to prevent accident

safeguard

2 of 2

verb

safeguarded; safeguarding; safeguards

transitive verb

1

: to provide a safeguard for

2

: to make safe : protect

Synonyms

Noun

• aegis
• egis
• ammunition
• armor
• buckler
• cover
• defense
• guard
• protection
• screen
• security
• shield
• wall
• ward

Verb

• bulwark
• cover
• defend
• fence
• fend
• forfend
• guard
• keep
• protect
• screen
• secure
• shield
• ward

Choose the Right Synonym for safeguard

defend, protect, shield, guard, safeguard mean to keep secure from danger or against attack.

defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

Examples of safeguard in a Sentence

Noun

The new law has safeguards to protect the rights of citizens.

There are many safeguards built into the system to prevent fraud.

Verb

laws that safeguard the rights of citizens

You need to safeguard your computer against viruses.

There are steps you can take to safeguard against identity theft.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Despite known risks, there are currently no standardized safeguards requiring companies to detect or interrupt these escalating interactions. —Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

Your Slack messages ask someone to override a safeguard. —Ankush Chowdhary, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Verb

The Del is a living testament to safeguarding our past. —Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

The 5 Best Shower Filters to Save Your Skin and Hair from Hard Water Tips to Improve Water Quality To ensure that your home has healthy, clean water for drinking and bathing, here are a few tips to consider to safeguard your water supply. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English saufgarde, from Anglo-French, from sauf safe + garde guard

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1501, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for safeguard

• bodyguard
• boulevard
• disregard
• asgard
• backyard
• barnyard
• blackguard
• bombard
• brickyard
• canard
• churchyard
• coastguard

Kids Definition

safeguard

1 of 2 noun

safe·​guard ˈsāf-ˌgärd 

: something that protects and gives safety : defense

safeguard

2 of 2 verb

: to make safe or secure : protect