# safeguard

/ˈseɪfˌɡɑɹd/ (US) · /sˈeɪfɡɑːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/safeguard
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to protect

verb · CEFR B2

to protect something important from being harmed, lost, or treated badly.

For teachers: to protect or shield something from harm, risk, or loss. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The new law was designed to safeguard the rights of workers.
- The treaty includes several clauses intended to safeguard the interests of smaller nations during international trade negotiations.

### 2. to prevent abuse

verb · CEFR B2 · British English

to follow specific rules to make sure children or vulnerable people are safe from harm.

For teachers: to implement measures designed to protect the health, well-being, and human rights of individuals, especially children and vulnerable adults.

- The school has a strict policy to safeguard all its students.
- The charity failed to safeguard effectively, leading to a complete overhaul of their volunteer screening process.

Usage: Often used as an intransitive verb in professional social work contexts.

Teaching tip: This specific usage is very common in UK education and healthcare sectors.

### 3. a protection

noun · CEFR B2

a rule or a piece of equipment that prevents something bad from happening.

For teachers: a measure, rule, or device taken to prevent a mistake, an accident, or a violation of rights.

- The bank has many safeguards to prevent people from stealing money.
- The constitutional safeguards were put in place to ensure that no single branch of government could seize absolute power.

## Examples

- Wearing a helmet is a key safety safeguard.
- The new law includes safeguards to protect consumer data from unauthorized access.
- Robust institutional safeguards are essential to prevent the erosion of democratic norms and ensure accountability in public office.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.