safety
safety — noun
1. a state where you are free from danger, harm, or risk of injury; also any place
a state where you are free from danger, harm, or risk of injury; also any place that offers shelter from threats
Felix checked the fire exits when he arrived at the hotel for his own safety.
collocation: for [someone's] safety
The children ran to safety when the thunderstorm suddenly grew worse.
collocation: run to safety
The factory manager put safety first by giving every worker protective goggles and gloves.
Noor kept her passport and cash in a hotel safe for safety during the trip.
Drivers should always wear seat belts for the safety of everyone in the car.
- security
emphasises protection against deliberate threats (crime, attack) rather than accidents
- protection
more general; can refer to physical barriers or legal safeguards
- well-being
broader term covering health and happiness, not just danger avoidance
文法句型
uncountable: safety of [someone/something]
for safety
in safety
用法筆記
Frequently used in compound nouns such as safety belt, safety net, safety regulations. Often appears in warnings and official notices.
2. a two-point scoring play in American football, awarded to a team when they tackl
a two-point scoring play in American football, awarded to a team when they tackle the ball carrier behind the opponent's own goal line
The defensive line broke through and tackled the quarterback for a safety.
collocation: [tackle someone] for a safety
A safety can completely change the momentum of a close football game.
The referee raised both hands to signal a safety in the end zone.
Coach Kim reminded the defence that a safety was worth two points plus the ball.
文法句型
score a safety
a safety is called
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun 3 (the player position). A safety as a score occurs when the offensive player is tackled behind their own goal line. The ball is then turned over to the team that scored.
3. a deep-lying defensive back in American football whose job is to stop long passe
a deep-lying defensive back in American football whose job is to stop long passes and prevent runners from breaking through the team's last line of defence
Daichi plays safety for his college team and made three interceptions last season.
collocation: plays safety
The safety read the quarterback's eyes and sprinted to break up the pass.
Head Coach Rodrigo moved his safety closer to the line to stop the running play.
A good safety needs both speed to cover receivers and strength to stop running backs.
文法句型
play safety
[player] is a safety
用法筆記
There are two sub-positions within safety: free safety (FS) and strong safety (SS). The free safety plays deeper and covers passes; the strong safety plays closer to the line and helps stop runs. Both are distinct from cornerbacks.
常見錯誤
4. a built-in mechanism fitted to guns or machinery that stops them from working by
a built-in mechanism fitted to guns or machinery that stops them from working by mistake, reducing the chance of injury
Adaeze engaged the safety on her rifle before climbing over the wooden fence.
collocation: engage the safety
The table saw has a safety that stops the blade within two seconds.
Always check that the safety is on before using a power tool at the worksite.
Élise showed the new trainee how to disengage the safety on the industrial sewing machine.
- safety catch
specifically for firearms; more common in British English
- safety lock
used for machines and equipment
- safety switch
common for electrical equipment
文法句型
[gun/machine] has a safety
engage the safety
disengage the safety
用法筆記
Commonly called the safety catch on guns and the safety lock or safety switch on power tools and machinery.
常見錯誤
safety — verb
1. to secure a weapon, machine, or system against accidental operation or failure b
to secure a weapon, machine, or system against accidental operation or failure by engaging a safety mechanism or adding protective measures
The soldier safetied his weapon before entering the command tent.
past tense: safetied
Engineers safetied the reactor control system to prevent accidental shutdown.
You must safety the trigger lock before storing the rifle in the cabinet.
The technician safetied all moving parts on the assembly line before the weekend shutdown.
文法句型
safety [something]
be safetied
用法筆記
Very infrequent in everyday speech. The past form safetied is more common than the present. In most contexts, the phrase put the safety on is preferred over the verb form.