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.
What to Expect from Trump’s Tariffs What’s more, a recession in 2025 will likely not include the same access to social safety nets, given the Trump administration's many cuts to national aid such as housing, food, and health, that helped those who lost their houses and jobs in the Great Recession. Myisha Battle, Time, 18 Apr. 2025 Medicaid serves as a critical safety net for more than 1 in 4 people in Connecticut, providing access to healthcare for those who need it most. Jennifer Jackson, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025 The proposals have prompted concerns about the future of safety net programs, such as Social Security and Medicaid. Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025 In the architecture of American public education, federal dollars have long served as both scaffolding and safety net. Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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