safety net

noun

: something that provides security against misfortune or difficulty

Examples of safety net in a Sentence

The program provides a safety net for people who have lost their jobs.
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.
Most users will get the $1,500 first bet safety net, while users in MI, NJ, PA and WV will get the $150 bonus offer. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025 Messer was previously the head of Dell Seton Medical Center, Austin's trauma center and safety net hospital. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 Now, with President Donald Trump’s signature tax legislation slashing social safety net programs like Medicaid and food stamps, their health is at risk. Victoria Ivie, Oc Register, 30 July 2025 For many Americans, the promise of rising up the ladder today feels increasingly out of reach, especially for those lacking financial safety nets, Ivy League credentials, or generational wealth. Jon Stojan, USA Today, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for safety net

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of safety net was in 1877

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Cite this Entry

“Safety net.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safety%20net. Accessed 10 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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