safekeeping

noun

safe·​keep·​ing ˈsāf-ˈkē-piŋ How to pronounce safekeeping (audio)
1
: the act or process of preserving in safety
2
: the state of being preserved in safety

Examples of safekeeping in a Sentence

His will is in safekeeping with his lawyer. while she was away on business, the single mom entrusted her daughter into her in-laws' safekeeping
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.
It was authenticated before being handed over to the Royals for safekeeping. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2025 Testifying Thursday, Mescudi recalled rushing to Ventura’s aide and taking her to the Sunset Marquis hotel for safekeeping. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025 Many of the antiquities in the Palmyra museum were sent to Damascus for safekeeping after the start of the civil war. Jane Arraf, NPR, 17 Apr. 2025 The coins could have been buried by a high-ranking officer of the Roman military, a group of soldiers and/or their family or someone else entirely as either an offering to a deity or a temporary method of safekeeping. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for safekeeping

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of safekeeping was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Safekeeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safekeeping. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

safekeeping

noun
safe·​keep·​ing ˈsāf-ˈkē-piŋ How to pronounce safekeeping (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on safekeeping

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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