safety valve

noun

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of safety valve

1 : an automatic escape or relief valve (as for a steam boiler)

2 : an outlet for pent-up energy or emotion

3 : something that relieves the pressure of overcrowding

See safety valve defined for English-language learners

See safety valve defined for kids

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 of safety valve from the Web

Freshmen Cameron Rising and Casey Thompson received praise, too, though their collective role this offseason is to push the two veterans and serve as a safety valve in case of emergency.

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas QB competition won’t be settled this spring," 6 Apr. 2018
For some Republicans, standing by while Trump goes after Amazon might just be the perfect safety valve for releasing their own public anger at Silicon Valley.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "Why Conservatives Tolerate Trump’s Crony Capitalism," 30 Mar. 2018
Still, Mr Mubarak allowed some political debate during his 30-year reign, if only as a safety valve.

— The Economist, "Egypt’s sham election features two candidates, but no choice," 22 Mar. 2018
Their pre-election purpose has been as political safety valves that serve to split one of the two parties, launching the other to victory.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "Both political parties are more dysfunctional than Trump White House," 21 Mar. 2018
Their pre-election purpose has been as political safety valves that serve to split one of the two parties, launching the other to victory.

— andrew malcolm, Anchorage Daily News, "Both political parties are more dysfunctional than Trump White House," 21 Mar. 2018
The Ravens believed that Woodhead would be a great safety valve for quarterback Joe Flacco and a weapon on both third downs and in the red zone.

— jeff zrebiec, baltimoresun.com, "Ravens release RB Danny Woodhead after two sides couldn't agree on altered contract for 2018," 13 Mar. 2018
The Mubarak regime saw this managed version of political life as a safety valve to engage opposition actors without liberalizing the political process.

— michael wahid hanna, Washington Post, "Egypt’s election is coming soon. The real battle begins afterward.," 8 Mar. 2018
Yet breaking the doom loop could also cut off a safety valve.

— michala marcussen, WSJ, "Danger Ahead for the Eurozone," 6 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'safety valve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of safety valve

1744

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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SAFETY VALVE Defined for English Language Learners

safety valve

noun

Definition of safety valve for English Language Learners

: a part in a machine that opens automatically to release steam, water, gas, etc., when pressure becomes too great
: something that allows someone to release mental stress and tension in a harmless way