First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1safeguard
noun safe·guard \ˈsāf-ˌgärd\
: something that provides protection against possible loss, damage, etc.
Full Definition of SAFEGUARD
1
a : pass, safe-conduct b : convoy, escort
2
a : a precautionary measure, stipulation, or device b : a technical contrivance to prevent accident
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Origin of SAFEGUARD
Middle English saufgarde, from Anglo-French, from sauf safe + garde guard
Related to SAFEGUARD
Rhymes with SAFEGUARD
Asgard, backyard, barnyard, blackguard, blowhard, boatyard, bombard, boneyard, brassard, brickyard, charge card, churchyard, cloth yard, coast guard, courtyard, dance card, deeryard, die-hard, diehard, discard, dockyard, dooryard, face card, farmyard, fireguard, flash card, foulard, Fugard, Gerard, graveyard, green card, ill-starred, jacquard, junkyard, lifeguard, main yard, mansard, mass card, Midgard, milliard, mudguard, noseguard, off guard, old guard, on guard, Oxnard, phone card, Picard, placard, point guard, postcard, poularde, punch card, rear guard, rearguard, Red Guard, regard, retard, ritard, scorecard, shipyard, smart card, sound card, spikenard, steelyard, stockyard, switchyard, tabard, tanyard, tiltyard, time card, unbarred, unguard, vizard, wild card
2safeguard
transitive verb
: to make (someone or something) safe or secure
Full Definition of SAFEGUARD
1
: to provide a safeguard for
2
: to make safe : protect
First Known Use of SAFEGUARD
15th century
Related to SAFEGUARD
Synonym Discussion of SAFEGUARD
defend, protect, shield, guard, safeguard mean to keep secure from danger or against attack. defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack <defend the country>. protect implies the use of something (as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure <a hard hat to protect your head>. shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack <shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand>. guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger <White House entrances are well guarded>. safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger <our civil liberties must be safeguarded>.
SAFEGUARDING Defined for Kids
1safeguard
noun safe·guard \ˈsāf-ˌgärd\
Definition of SAFEGUARD for Kids
: something that protects and gives safety <Drink water as a safeguard against dehydration.>
2safeguard
verb
safe·guard·edsafe·guard·ing
Definition of SAFEGUARD for Kids
: to make or keep safe or secure <Refrigerating the food will safeguard it against spoilage.>
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