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
Women, sexual assault victims, people of color, transgender students. College campuses have created "safe spaces" for all sorts of marginalized groups.Catherine Rampell

Examples of safe space in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Persian restaurants also provide a safe space for Iranians to connect with others within the diaspora. Angela Osorio, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026 This kitchen is my safe space, not just for time with family and good food, but for the vibes. Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026 Rick and Sonya Petrie say the dance provides a safe space for their nonverbal daughter, Naomi. Leondra Head, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026 Shedden also noted the bipartisan commission to save Social Security in 1983, when former Democratic House Speaker Tip O’Neill and President Ronald Reagan created a safe space to come up with a compromise. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for safe space

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of safe space was in 1970

Cite this Entry

“Safe space.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safe%20space. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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