safe space

noun

: a place (as on a college campus) intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations
… student volunteers put up posters advertising that a "safe space" would be available for anyone who found the debate too upsetting.Judith Shulevitz
Women, sexual assault victims, people of color, transgender students. College campuses have created "safe spaces" for all sorts of marginalized groups.Catherine Rampell

Examples of safe space in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As June marks the start of Pride Month celebrations, a South Jersey book shop transforms into a safe space for community and connection. Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 1 June 2026 News at the second annual ball for Translatable, a non-profit organization started by the 18-year-old and her dad, Dwyane Wade, to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth, Zaya opened up about her first year at college. Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026 DeLauro said the center is a safe space for young and old and added that the LGBTQ+ community is in a mental health crisis and stated that 39% of LGBTQ+ youth have considered attempting suicide and over 10% have attempted it at least once. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026 For this reason, try to put your hummingbird food far from other bird feeders and, if possible, position several hummingbird feeders across your yard so aggressive hummingbirds can keep a safe space from their own kind. Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for safe space

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of safe space was in 1970

Cite this Entry

“Safe space.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safe%20space. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

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