safekeeping

noun

safe·​keep·​ing ˈsāf-ˈkē-piŋ 

1

: the act or process of preserving in safety

2

: the state of being preserved in safety

Synonyms of safekeeping

• custody
• care

Examples of safekeeping in a Sentence

His will is in safekeeping with his lawyer.

while she was away on business, the single mom entrusted her daughter into her in-laws' safekeeping

Recent Examples on the Web

The planes were loaded up and the HEU was flown back to the United States, taken to a Department of Energy complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for safekeeping. —Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026

Pro Tip: Keep sentimental items in a memory box for safekeeping. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026

The cow was eventually secured and returned to a neighbor’s property for safekeeping, ensuring a smooth reunion once the owners were reached. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

In this case, that means keeping their records in safekeeping, not handing them to some other team that doesn’t care about them. —Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing safekeeping

• for safekeeping

Rhymes for safekeeping

• recordkeeping
• beekeeping
• bookkeeping
• gatekeeping
• housekeeping
• peacekeeping
• timekeeping
• beeping
• creeping
• heaping
• keeping
• leaping

Kids Definition

safekeeping

noun

safe·​keep·​ing ˈsāf-ˈkē-piŋ 

: protection sense 1, custody