free safety

noun

: a safety in football who has no particular receiver to cover in a man-to-man defense

Examples of free safety 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.
Next to Conner, the Chiefs signed Alohi Gilman as a direct replacement for Bryan Cook at free safety. — Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 At safety, the Horned Frogs return All-Big 12 standout Jamel Johnson, but need to replace longtime veteran Bud Clark at free safety and find a new starter at nickel. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026 Activities will include skill testing at the bike safety riding course, free safety checks and a repair station hosted by a local bike shop, a helmet fitting station with Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, safety education regarding bike and pedestrian rules and more. — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 The score ranked 729 out of 1,311 free safeties tested going back to 1987. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for free safety

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free safety was in 1958

Rhymes for free safety

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Browse Nearby Words

free run
free safety
free sample
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Cite this Entry

“Free safety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20safety. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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