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 California lawmakers on Wednesday announced a joint budget plan that would restore some funds for homelessness and social safety net programs while cutting money from state prisons. Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 30 May 2024 As economies in Asia and the Pacific slow and grow older, countries need to do more to ensure that workers get the education, training and social safety nets needed to raise incomes and ensure social equity, a United Nations report said Tuesday. Elaine Kurtenbach, Fortune Asia, 28 May 2024 Per Essex Live, video footage shows the group of friends in good spirits, jokingly trying to push each other onto the safety net before Groom fell. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024 Groom fell about 12 feet after being pushed over a safety net by his best friend at a TopGolf location in Chigwell, Essex, on Dec. 21, 2021. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for safety net 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'safety net.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of safety net was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near safety net

Cite this Entry

“Safety net.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safety%20net. Accessed 11 Jun. 2024.

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!