safeguard
safeguard — noun
- safeguardsingular
- safeguardsplural
1. A law, rule, system, or action that is designed to prevent harm, damage, or unwa
A law, rule, system, or action that is designed to prevent harm, damage, or unwanted effects from happening.
The new encryption software acts as a safeguard against data theft.
safeguard against [risk/threat]
Many countries have legal safeguards that prevent employers from discriminating against job applicants.
Tanvi insisted on adding a safeguard clause to the contract before signing.
Without proper safety safeguards, factory workers face serious injury risks every day.
The constitution includes safeguards that protect the right to a fair trial.
- protection
broader term; can be physical or abstract, not necessarily a formal rule
- preventive measure
more specific to actions taken beforehand to stop something bad
- precaution
emphasizes advance planning rather than ongoing protection
- insurance
metaphorical; suggests financial or compensatory protection
文法句型
safeguard + against + [risk/threat]
safeguard + for + [person/thing]
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the plural form 'safeguards' when referring to a set of rules or systems. The preposition 'against' introduces the risk or threat being prevented.
常見錯誤
2. An official document, pass, or person that protects someone by giving them permi
An official document, pass, or person that protects someone by giving them permission to travel safely through a dangerous area, especially during a war or conflict.
The journalist requested a safeguard from the embassy before travelling through the conflict zone.
requested a safeguard
Under the ceasefire agreement, both sides agreed to provide safeguards for humanitarian aid convoys.
provide safeguards for [group/convoy]
Cyrus was issued a safeguard allowing him to cross the border despite the ongoing hostilities.
The general ordered two soldiers to act as a safeguard for the fleeing civilians.
- safe-conduct
almost identical; refers specifically to a document granting travel rights during conflict
- pass
shorter, less formal; may simply be a permit without implied danger
- escort
focuses on the person or vehicle providing physical accompaniment
- laissez-passer
French-derived term for an official travel document
文法句型
provide/request/issue a safeguard + for/to [someone]
用法筆記
Less common in everyday speech; mostly used in diplomatic, military, or historical contexts. Can refer to either a document (safe-conduct) or an armed escort.
safeguard — verb
- safeguardpresent simple I / you / we / they
- safeguardshe / she / it
- safeguardedpast simple
- safeguarding-ing form
1. To protect something or someone from being harmed, damaged, lost, or negatively
To protect something or someone from being harmed, damaged, lost, or negatively affected by taking action in advance.
Wren installed a new alarm system to safeguard her jewellery shop against burglars.
safeguard + object + against [threat]
The international treaty aims to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities living near the forest.
Parents want to safeguard their children from online dangers by monitoring screen time.
Obi set up an emergency fund to safeguard his family against unexpected financial trouble.
The museum uses special climate controls to safeguard ancient manuscripts from humidity damage.
- protect
more general; can be reactive or immediate, while 'safeguard' implies advance planning
- shield
suggests using a barrier to block harm; more physical in tone
- guard
implies watchfulness over time, like a person standing watch
- secure
often used for locking or fastening; less about ongoing policy protection
- endanger
to put someone or something in danger, the opposite of protecting
- jeopardize
to put at risk, especially with carelessness or poor decisions
文法句型
safeguard + noun + from/against + [threat]
用法筆記
Verb forms: safeguard (present), safeguards (third-person singular), safeguarding (present participle/gerund), safeguarded (past tense/past participle). The verb implies advance preparation or ongoing protection, not a single one-time act.
常見錯誤
2. To take special measures to protect children, elderly people, or other vulnerabl
To take special measures to protect children, elderly people, or other vulnerable individuals from abuse, neglect, or emotional and physical harm, especially within institutions such as schools, hospitals, or care homes.
All school staff receive training on how to safeguard children from abuse and neglect.
safeguard + children + from + [specific harm]
The charity trains volunteers to safeguard elderly people living alone from financial exploitation.
Marta works as the designated safeguarding officer at the local children's hospital.
New government policies require care homes to safeguard residents with disabilities from neglect.
- protect
broader; 'safeguard' in this sense implies formal institutional responsibility
- watch over
less formal; suggests attentive care rather than systematic policy
- care for
focuses on wellbeing rather than preventing specific abuse
文法句型
safeguard + children/adults + from + [harm/abuse]
safeguarding + noun (gerund)
用法筆記
In British English, 'safeguarding' (as a gerund noun) is a well-established term for child-protection and vulnerable-adult policies. This sense is primarily used in institutional, legal, and social-work contexts. The verb is less commonly used in American English with this specific meaning.