Safe means protected from harm or danger. When you're safe, nothing bad is threatening you. A safe neighborhood is one where people can walk around without worrying about crime. A safe tree branch is sturdy enough to climb without breaking. Safe food won't make you sick.

The word also describes being careful to avoid danger. A safe driver follows traffic laws and pays attention to the road. Playing it safe means choosing the cautious option instead of taking a risk. When you make a safe choice, you're thinking ahead about what could go wrong and avoiding it.

In baseball, a runner is called safe when they reach a base before being tagged out. This meaning connects to the main idea: the runner has reached protection and can't be put out while touching the base.

A safe is also a heavy metal box with a lock, used to protect valuable things like money, jewelry, or important papers. The safe keeps these items secure from thieves or fire.

When something is safe and sound, it means completely unharmed and secure. If your parents were worried during a thunderstorm and you call to say you're safe and sound at your friend's house, you're telling them everything is fine and they don't need to worry.