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.
Still, the federal government’s vaccine safety net is impossible to replace. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025 Health policy experts say these moves could hamper care and leave safety net hospitals, clinics and other providers financially vulnerable. Angela Hart, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025 Anna Wintour’s Vogue and the Financial Reality Adding to this challenge, is the commercial safety net or lack thereof. Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025 But Pillersdorf and other Democrats are hoping cuts to the social safety net will provide a new political foothold. Chris Kenning, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 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 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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