safety
1 n-uncount Safety is the state of being safe from harm or danger.
The report goes on to make a number of recommendations to improve safety on aircraft.
2 n-uncount If you reach safety, you reach a place where you are safe from danger.
oft prep N
He stumbled through smoke and fumes given off from her burning sofa to pull her to safety..., Guests ran for safety as the device went off in a ground-floor men's toilet..., The refugees were groping their way through the dark, trying to reach safety., ...the safety of one's own home.
3 n-sing If you are concerned about the safety of something, you are concerned that it might be harmful or dangerous.
with poss
...consumers are showing growing concern about the safety of the food they buy...
4 n-sing If you are concerned for someone's safety, you are concerned that they might be in danger.
with poss
The two youths today declined to testify because they said they feared for their safety.
5 adj Safety features or measures are intended to make something less dangerous.
ADJ n
The built-in safety device compensates for a fall in water pressure.
6 If you say that there is safety in numbers, you mean that you are safer doing something if there are a lot of people doing it rather than doing it alone.
safety in numbers phrase usu v-link PHR Many people still feel there is safety in numbers when belonging to a union.
safety belt (safety belts plural ), safety-belt A safety belt is a strap attached to a seat in a car or aeroplane. You fasten it round your body and it stops you being thrown forward if there is an accident. n-count
(=seat belt)
safety catch (safety catches plural )The safety catch on a gun is a device that stops you firing the gun accidentally. n-count
Eddie slipped the safety catch on his automatic back into place.
safety glass
Safety glass is very strong glass that does not break into sharp pieces if it is hit. n-uncount
safety net (safety nets plural )
1 n-count A safety net is something that you can rely on to help you if you get into a difficult situation.
Welfare is the only real safety net for low-income workers.
2 n-count In a circus, a safety net is a large net that is placed below performers on a high wire or trapeze in order to catch them and prevent them being injured if they fall off.
safety officer (safety officers plural )The safety officer in a company or an organization is the person who is responsible for the safety of the people who work or visit there. n-count
safety pin (safety pins plural )A safety pin is a bent metal pin used for fastening things together. The point of the pin has a cover so that when the pin is closed it cannot hurt anyone. n-count
...trousers which were held together with safety pins.
safety valve (safety valves plural )
1 n-count A safety valve is a device which allows liquids or gases to escape from a machine when the pressure inside it becomes too great.
Residents heard an enormous bang as a safety valve on the boiler failed.
2 n-count A safety valve is something that allows you to release strong feelings without hurting yourself or others.
...crying is a natural safety valve.
safety zone (safety zones plural ), safety island A safety zone is a place in the middle of a road crossing where you can wait before you cross the other half of the road.
(AM) n-count
