the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
"insure the safety of the children"
"the reciprocal of safety is risk"
a device designed to prevent injury or accidents
"The car's airbag is a critical safety that deploys instantly during a crash to protect the passengers."
contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse
"He forgot to bring his safety, so they had to use emergency contraception instead."
a score in American football; a player is tackled behind his own goal line
"The coach praised the rookie's safety, noting it was the first time he'd been tackled inside his own end zone."
The condition or feeling of being safe; security; certainty.
"After years of uncertainty, finally finding a stable home gave her a deep sense of safety that she had never known before."
In plain English: Safety is the state of being free from danger or harm.
"The safety of the children is our top priority during the field trip."
To secure (a mechanical component, as in aviation) to keep it from becoming detached even under vibration.
"The technician tightened the new locking pins to ensure the engine mount remained securely fastened despite the constant vibrations of flight."
In plain English: To safety something means to make it safe from harm.
"The safety officer checked the equipment to ensure everyone was secure before starting work."
Usage: Use the verb to safety exclusively in technical contexts like aviation and engineering when securing components against detachment; avoid using it for general protection or personal security. It is almost always followed by a direct object referring to a specific mechanical part rather than an abstract concept.
The word safety comes from the Latin salvus, meaning "safe" or "unharmed." It entered English through Middle English and Old French as a term for a state of being saved or secure.