Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

fail-safe

/ˈfeɪlˌseɪf/ adj

Definition

designed so that if one part of a device does not work, the whole thing stops working to avoid a dangerous situation
(Definition of fail-safe adj from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“fail-safe” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

honest-to-goodness

real or true

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More