safety net

noun

: something that provides security against misfortune or difficulty

Examples of safety net in a Sentence

The program provides a safety net for people who have lost their jobs.
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.
The Kid Who Wanted a House Chorney grew up without much of a safety net. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026 In taking on Google, the plaintiffs are testing whether a major safety net for internet companies and social media sites has its limitations. Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026 The first wave of viral creators were navigating something entirely unprecedented — with no roadmap and no safety net. Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026 Attorneys for Meta said the company discloses risks and makes efforts to weed out harmful content and experiences, while acknowledging that some bad material gets through its safety net. Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for safety net

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of safety net was in 1877

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Safety net.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safety%20net. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster