safeguard

1 of 2

noun

safe·​guard ˈsāf-ˌgärd 

1

a

: pass, safe-conduct

b

: convoy, escort

2

a

: a precautionary measure, stipulation, or device

b

: a technical contrivance to prevent accident

safeguard

2 of 2

verb

safeguarded; safeguarding; safeguards

transitive verb

1

: to provide a safeguard for

2

: to make safe : protect

Synonyms

Noun

• aegis
• egis
• ammunition
• armor
• buckler
• cover
• defense
• guard
• protection
• screen
• security
• shield
• wall
• ward

Verb

• bulwark
• cover
• defend
• fence
• fend
• forfend
• guard
• keep
• protect
• screen
• secure
• shield
• ward

Choose the Right Synonym for 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 (such 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

Examples of safeguard in a Sentence

Noun

The new law has safeguards to protect the rights of citizens.

There are many safeguards built into the system to prevent fraud.

Verb

laws that safeguard the rights of citizens

You need to safeguard your computer against viruses.

There are steps you can take to safeguard against identity theft.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Meanwhile, health officials continue to stress that vaccines remain the most effective safeguard against measles and other preventable diseases. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025

The settlement also requires the league to maintain safeguards put into place after a pair of investigations released in late 2022 that found widespread misconduct that affected multiple teams, coaches and players. —Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025

Verb

Disability rights protected by NJ law The state offers legal protection through the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, which safeguards against workplace bias, including for remote workers. —Gene Myers, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025

By cracking down on misuse and reinforcing accountability, the city can safeguard taxpayer resources, restore public confidence, and focus on meeting its budgetary goals effectively. —Pamella Pema Reid, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English saufgarde, from Anglo-French, from sauf safe + garde guard

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1501, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

safeguard

1 of 2 noun

safe·​guard ˈsāf-ˌgärd 

: something that protects and gives safety : defense

safeguard

2 of 2 verb

: to make safe or secure : protect