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Definition of safety pin
safety pin
Plural:safety pins
• noun
1
A small metal fastener consisting of a pin bent back on itself to form a spring, with a guard at the top that covers the sharp point to protect the user from injury.
Example
"She used a safety pin to temporarily mend the broken strap on her dress before the event."
2
The same fastening device used as a fashion accessory or a visible symbol of solidarity and safe space in certain social and subcultural movements.
Example
"During the 1970s, members of the punk rock movement famously wore safety pins attached to their clothing or even as piercings."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for safety pin• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Safety pin. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 18, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/safety%20pin