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.
The Steelers also could use a more pure free safety to round out the room. Mike Defabo, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026 All four Bears safeties were up for new contracts this offseason, and last year’s starters — free safety Kevin Byard III and strong safety Jaquan Brisker — found new homes in free agency. Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 Canady projects as either a slot cornerback or a free safety at the next level and is worth a late Day 2 or 3 pick. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026 There’s a glaring hole in TCU’s secondary with the departure of free safety Bud Clark to the NFL. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Free safety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20safety. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster