safety valve
noun
plural safety valves
1
: a valve (as for a steam boiler) that allows gas or liquid under excessive pressure to escape in a controlled manner
2
: an outlet for pent-up energy or emotion
3
: something that relieves the pressure of overcrowding
Examples of safety valve in a Sentence
His hobbies act as a safety valve, relieving some of the pressure he feels from his job.
Recent Examples on the Web
Property taxes serve as a safety valve for local governments when state aid declines or the economy falters, Walczak argues.
—
Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 23 Nov. 2025
Push the dryer back in place and either plug the dryer back in or turn on the gas safety valve.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 12 Nov. 2025
Congress actually built into the budget a multi-year safety valve for exactly this situation.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
For these reasons, clemency offers a critical safety valve when used responsibly.
—Khalil Cumberbatch, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for safety valve
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Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 23 Nov. 2025
Push the dryer back in place and either plug the dryer back in or turn on the gas safety valve.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 12 Nov. 2025
Congress actually built into the budget a multi-year safety valve for exactly this situation.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
For these reasons, clemency offers a critical safety valve when used responsibly.
—Khalil Cumberbatch, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for safety valve
Cite this Entry
“Safety valve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safety%20valve. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
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