safe·guard
ˈsāf-ˌgärd 
1
a
: pass, safe-conduct
2
a
: a precautionary measure, stipulation, or device
b
: a technical contrivance to prevent accident
safeguarded; safeguarding; safeguards
Synonyms
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
The Editors, National Review, 5 Sep. 2023
New Balance Women's Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid These New Balance trail running shoes have a breathable mesh upper so your feet don’t overheat, and the toe protection safeguards against stones and debris on the trail.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2023
For centuries, blasphemy laws were viewed by religious and civil leaders as safeguards for keeping society orderly and strengthening religious rules and influence.
—Armin Langer, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2023
Government agencies must build in safeguards to avoid graft.
—Time, 23 Aug. 2023
Washington should also push Riyadh for greater transparency on its emerging relationship with Beijing and demand tight security safeguards for any arms or technology the United States transfers to Saudi Arabia.
—Daniel C. Kurtzer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2023
In the wake of that attack, the Defense Department instituted a series of recruiting safeguards.
—Hanna Krueger, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2023
The work stoppage over issues including streaming residuals and stricter safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence has shuttered all late-night talk shows for the longest stretch in modern history.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2023
Lauren Rounds, a spokeswoman at Love Field, said the airport’s simple layout, thorough training protocols and safeguards like runway guard lights, have helped minimize runway incursions in recent years.
—Alexandra Skores, Dallas News, 24 Aug. 2023
Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2023
State’s attorney spokesman James Bentley added that because any questioning of underage defendants has to be recorded, their rights already are safeguarded.
—Lee O. Sanderlin, Baltimore Sun, 5 Sep. 2023
My goal is to have a positive impact by fostering fairness and dignity for all court attendees while safeguarding the community.
—Beth Mlady, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2023
Improving the Covid-19 vaccine uptake continues to be a critical line of defense against the virus, but safeguarding all Americans from Covid will require more than a vaccine-only approach.
—Irasema Garza, STAT, 31 Aug. 2023
In the ensuing weeks, companies including Microsoft took legal and technical action to disrupt Trickbot’s networks as part of efforts to safeguard voting and other critical infrastructure.
—Matt Burgess, WIRED, 30 Aug. 2023
Exploring various materials and configurations to create robust shielding solutions is key to ensuring that astronauts’ long-term health is safeguarded during their stay on the Moon.
—Massimo Comparini, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2023
Countries should work to safeguard a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for children around the world as climate change becomes a growing issue, the U.N. said.
—Teddy Grant, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2023
While a shot has yet to be fired, some of the nation’s largest newsrooms are actively taking defensive measures to safeguard their content from ChatGPT, the groundbreaking artificial intelligence chatbot that is seen as a potential aggressor to an already struggling news industry.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 28 Aug. 2023
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Noun
Adults who keep secrets with other people’s children violate commonsense safeguards of minors and must be stopped.
—The Editors, National Review, 5 Sep. 2023
New Balance Women's Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid These New Balance trail running shoes have a breathable mesh upper so your feet don’t overheat, and the toe protection safeguards against stones and debris on the trail.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2023
For centuries, blasphemy laws were viewed by religious and civil leaders as safeguards for keeping society orderly and strengthening religious rules and influence.
—Armin Langer, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2023
Government agencies must build in safeguards to avoid graft.
—Time, 23 Aug. 2023
Washington should also push Riyadh for greater transparency on its emerging relationship with Beijing and demand tight security safeguards for any arms or technology the United States transfers to Saudi Arabia.
—Daniel C. Kurtzer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2023
In the wake of that attack, the Defense Department instituted a series of recruiting safeguards.
—Hanna Krueger, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2023
The work stoppage over issues including streaming residuals and stricter safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence has shuttered all late-night talk shows for the longest stretch in modern history.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2023
Lauren Rounds, a spokeswoman at Love Field, said the airport’s simple layout, thorough training protocols and safeguards like runway guard lights, have helped minimize runway incursions in recent years.
—Alexandra Skores, Dallas News, 24 Aug. 2023
Verb
Rising temperatures in key agricultural regions across the United States are leading more farmers to harvest in the middle of the night to safeguard the quality of their crops.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2023
State’s attorney spokesman James Bentley added that because any questioning of underage defendants has to be recorded, their rights already are safeguarded.
—Lee O. Sanderlin, Baltimore Sun, 5 Sep. 2023
My goal is to have a positive impact by fostering fairness and dignity for all court attendees while safeguarding the community.
—Beth Mlady, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2023
Improving the Covid-19 vaccine uptake continues to be a critical line of defense against the virus, but safeguarding all Americans from Covid will require more than a vaccine-only approach.
—Irasema Garza, STAT, 31 Aug. 2023
In the ensuing weeks, companies including Microsoft took legal and technical action to disrupt Trickbot’s networks as part of efforts to safeguard voting and other critical infrastructure.
—Matt Burgess, WIRED, 30 Aug. 2023
Exploring various materials and configurations to create robust shielding solutions is key to ensuring that astronauts’ long-term health is safeguarded during their stay on the Moon.
—Massimo Comparini, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2023
Countries should work to safeguard a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for children around the world as climate change becomes a growing issue, the U.N. said.
—Teddy Grant, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2023
While a shot has yet to be fired, some of the nation’s largest newsrooms are actively taking defensive measures to safeguard their content from ChatGPT, the groundbreaking artificial intelligence chatbot that is seen as a potential aggressor to an already struggling news industry.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 28 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'safeguard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near safeguard
Cite this Entry
“Safeguard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safeguard. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on safeguard
Nglish: Translation of safeguard for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of safeguard for Arabic Speakers
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