safe space
noun
: a place (as on a college campus) intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations
… student volunteers put up posters advertising that a "safe space" would be available for anyone who found the debate too upsetting.—
Judith Shulevitz
Judith ShulevitzWomen, sexual assault victims, people of color, transgender students. College campuses have created "safe spaces" for all sorts of marginalized groups.—Catherine Rampell
Catherine RampellExamples of safe space in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So a dedicated space — a safe space to play with and store toys, paint or color or curl up with a book — is the solution for some families.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
The district said schools will remain open and provide a safe space for students.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
For decades, the sport has provided a progressive sort of safe space for those within the LGTBQ+ community, some of whom still may be trying to realize their authentic selves.
—Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Born and raised in New Orleans, Collins had created a mobile sensory-safe space at her festival, which draws 30,000 people annually, because her autistic son, like one in thirty-two Americans also on the spectrum, needed it.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for safe space
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Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
The district said schools will remain open and provide a safe space for students.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
For decades, the sport has provided a progressive sort of safe space for those within the LGTBQ+ community, some of whom still may be trying to realize their authentic selves.
—Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Born and raised in New Orleans, Collins had created a mobile sensory-safe space at her festival, which draws 30,000 people annually, because her autistic son, like one in thirty-two Americans also on the spectrum, needed it.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for safe space
Cite this Entry
“Safe space.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safe%20space. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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