| English Dictionary |
FAIL-SAFE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does fail-safe mean?
• FAIL-SAFE (noun)
The noun FAIL-SAFE has 1 sense:
1. a mechanism capable of returning to a safe state in case there is a failure or malfunction
Familiarity information: FAIL-SAFE used as a noun is very rare.
• FAIL-SAFE (adjective)
The adjective FAIL-SAFE has 2 senses:
1. guaranteed not to fail
2. eliminating danger by compensating automatically for a failure or malfunction
Familiarity information: FAIL-SAFE used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
A mechanism capable of returning to a safe state in case there is a failure or malfunction
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("fail-safe" is a kind of...):
mechanism (device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Guaranteed not to fail
Context example:
a fail-safe recipe for cheese souffle
Similar:
secure (free from danger or risk)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Eliminating danger by compensating automatically for a failure or malfunction
Context example:
a fail-safe device in a nuclear weapon to deactivate it automatically in the event of accident
Similar:
safe (free from danger or the risk of harm)
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