Safeguard Meaning

/ˈseɪfɡɑːd/
B1

Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

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nounSomething that serves as a guard or protection; a defense.

nounOne who, or that which, defends or protects; defence; protection.

The safeguard of the state shall be the supreme law.
Free flow of information is the only safeguard against tyranny.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The strong metal fence was built to ____ the children from the busy road.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new legislation was designed to ____ the rights of workers in precarious employment.

From Middle English savegard, from Middle French sauvegarde, from Old French salve garde, sauve garde, reconstructed as safe + guard.

"[T]he king ſent to the ſea ſixe good ſhippes, well manned and vitayled for the warre: […] for ſaffegarde of the Merchauntes, and other the kinges ſubiectes, that were greuouſly ſpoyled and robbed on the ſea, by Frenchmen, Scottes and other rouers." — a. 1548 (date written), Edward Hall, Richard Grafton, “[The Triumphant Reigne of Kyng Henry the VIII.] The .XIIJ. Yere.”, in The Vnion of the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre & Yorke, […], London: […] Rychard Grafton, […] [and Steven Mierdman], published 1550, →OCLC, folio lxxxxi, recto:
"An externment of a person is a harsh punishment on him and calls for procedural safeguards against the abuse of power by the authorities." — 1983, D. C. Pandey, Habitual Offenders and the Law, page 31:
"Thy sword, the safeguard of thy brother's throne." — 1726, George Granville, To the King, in the First Year of His Majesty’s Reign:
"the inheritance of their loves and safeguard" — c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:
"The same idea is entertained of the Safeguard in America, as of the Monitor in Africa, and other parts of the Old World, […]" — 1844, The Animal Kingdom:

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CEFR Practice Quiz
The strong metal fence was built to ____ the children from the busy road.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new legislation was designed to ____ the rights of workers in precarious employment.

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