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

In an interview last year, a deputy director for AHCCCS also acknowledged that the agency’s American Indian Health Program lacked safeguards for fraud. —Mary Hudetz, ProPublica, 22 Apr. 2025

In 1970, approximately 20 million people—representing 10 percent of the U.S. population at the time—gathered to demand stronger environmental safeguards, marking the inaugural Earth Day, according to EarthDay.org. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025

Verb

Starting one’s own business is not just a matter of choice or career but a new way to safeguard your status in society. —Jon Michail, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

China is determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests. —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 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