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 of safeguard

Noun

• protection
• defense
• ammunition
• shield

Verb

• protect
• defend

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

Bores, 35, is a New York state assemblyman who co-sponsored the state's Responsible AI Safety and Education Act, legislation that requires AI companies to report safety incidents and publish information on their safeguards. —Eric McDaniel, NPR, 22 June 2026

The only natural safeguard your body has against UV light is a microscopically thin layer of a pigment called melanin in your epidermis. —Guy German, Fortune, 21 June 2026

Verb

As accusations of censorship mount at museums nationwide, a new resource has emerged to help artists safeguard freedom of expression. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 23 June 2026

As Ukrainian leaders tout shifting war dynamics and conditional openness to talks, Moscow vows to safeguard ally Belarus, which Kyiv accuses of aiding Russian drone strikes, raising regional security tensions. —Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026

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