security blanket

noun

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of security blanket

1 : a blanket carried by a child as a protection against anxiety

2 : a usually familiar object whose presence dispels anxiety

See security blanket defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of security blanket from the Web

But newer members, who may never have served under a speaker other than Ryan, had grown to see him as a kind of political security blanket, King said.

— jonathan martin and alexander burns, BostonGlobe.com, "Ryan will retire, scattering hopes of GOP for 2018," 12 Apr. 2018
One of those needs to a running back who serves as his security blanket.

— mike preston, baltimoresun.com, "Mike Preston: Ravens need a third-down passing threat out of the backfield," 9 Apr. 2018
This official explained that Kelly initially viewed his job as babysitting, but now feels less of a need to be omnipresent, while Trump, who once considered Kelly a security blanket, feels increasingly emboldened to act alone.

— author: ashley parker, josh dawsey, philip rucker, Anchorage Daily News, "'When you lose that power': How John Kelly faded as White House disciplinarian," 8 Apr. 2018
The same arbitrariness that leads Trump to seek the counsel of the extremist conspiracy-theorist Stone also led the president to use Hicks, someone who has no experience or background in government, as a security blanket.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "All the President’s Courtiers," 2 Apr. 2018
Even for a master of media spin and coaching mind games like Calipari, who wears his paranoia like a security blanket, that’s some next-level stuff.

— dan wolken, USA TODAY, "Kentucky is overwhelming favorite for Final Four despite John Calipari's mind games," 21 Mar. 2018
Same goes for Josh McCown, who provides a security blanket for Bridgewater.

— steven ruiz, For The Win, "Packers, Patriots among the early winners and losers in NFL free agency," 15 Mar. 2018
This week Rex Tillerson makes his first trip to Africa as secretary of State, aiming to reassert America’s role not just as a hard-power security blanket but as a soft-power partner.

— howard lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, "Why Tillerson pitch of US as soft-power partner will be a hard sell in Africa," 6 Mar. 2018
Barrett was an incredible security blanket, though.

— tim bielik, cleveland.com, "Michael Thomas wins the 'Best Hands' event at the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown: Buckeye Breakfast," 26 Jan. 2018

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

First Known Use of security blanket

1954

SECURITY BLANKET Defined for English Language Learners

security blanket

noun

Definition of security blanket for English Language Learners

: a blanket that is carried by a child because it makes the child feel safe

Medical Dictionary

security blanket

noun

medical Definition of security blanket

: a blanket carried by a child as a protection against anxiety

Seen and Heard

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security blanket

Definition of security blanket

Recent Examples of security blanket from the Web

First Known Use of security blanket

SECURITY BLANKET Defined for English Language Learners

security blanket

Definition of security blanket for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

security blanket

medical Definition of security blanket

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security blanket

Definition of security blanket

Recent Examples of security blanket from the Web

First Known Use of security blanket

SECURITY BLANKET Defined for English Language Learners

security blanket

Definition of security blanket for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

security blanket

medical Definition of security blanket

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