fail-safe

/ˌfeɪl ˌˈseɪf/
IPA guide

Other forms: fail-safes

Definitions of fail-safe
  1. adjective
    eliminating danger by compensating automatically for a failure or malfunction
    “a fail-safe device in a nuclear weapon to deactivate it automatically in the event of accident”
    synonyms:
    safe
    free from danger or the risk of harm
  2. adjective
    guaranteed not to fail
    “a fail-safe recipe for cheese souffle”
    synonyms:
    secure
    free from danger or risk
  3. noun
    a mechanism capable of returning to a safe state in case there is a failure or malfunction
    see moresee less
    type of:
    mechanism
    device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function
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