Not in danger; out of harm's reach.
A guide to safe
• Free from risk.
• Providing protection from danger; providing shelter.
• When a batter successfully reaches first base, or when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base or returns to the base he last occupied; not out.
• In a location that renders it difficult to pot.
• Properly secured.
• Not susceptible to a specified source of harm.
• Great, cool, awesome, respectable; a term of approbation, often as interjection.
• Supported by evidence and unlikely to be overturned. Usually used in the negative, as unsafe.
• Lenient, usually describing a teacher that is easy-going.
• Reliable; trusty.
• Certain; sure.
• Cautious.
• Of a programming language, type-safe or more generally offering well-defined behavior despite programming errors.
(Noun) A box, usually made of metal, in which valuables can be locked for safekeeping.
• A condom.
• A ventilated or refrigerated chest or closet for securing provisions from noxious animals or insects.
• A safety bicycle.
(Verb) To make something safe.
Why safe is relevant in U.S. law
safe appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
When and how safe applies
In practice, safe is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.