safekeeping

noun

safe·​keep·​ing ˈsāf-ˈkē-piŋ 

1

: the act or process of preserving in safety

2

: the state of being preserved in safety

Synonyms

• care
• custodianship
• custody
• guardianship
• keeping
• trust
• ward

Examples of safekeeping in a Sentence

His will is in safekeeping with his lawyer.

while she was away on business, the single mom entrusted her daughter into her in-laws' safekeeping

Recent Examples on the Web

Mike gave the idol to Omar for safekeeping, and Drea was voted out. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024

The piece was hidden for safekeeping and wasn’t recovered until long after Parmigianino’s death, per the statement. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024

Ironically, creating this list digitally is the easiest way to keep it updated as things change, just remember to print out copies for safekeeping and include the username and password required to access the digital list. —Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 1 Dec. 2024

The icky parts are discarded, and then the giblets, a nutritious bundle of odds and ends that are still good to eat, are tucked back into the cavity for safekeeping. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing safekeeping

• for safekeeping

Kids Definition

safekeeping

noun

safe·​keep·​ing ˈsāf-ˈkē-piŋ 

: protection sense 1, custody