safety valve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The notwithstanding clause was brought in as a safety valve.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

It is an essential safety valve that remains "effective only if the conflict doesn't last too long", cautioned Perrin.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

Banks have more regularly tapped a Fed lending facility designed as a safety valve that lets them exchange securities for reserves, offering another sign of reserves becoming less ample.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

In that incident, the board’s investigation found multiple safety failures, including a severely eroded safety valve that allowed flammable gases to dangerously seep into unwanted areas.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2025

Others use an espresso pot, which uses steam to drive water up through the grounds: the pot is a pressurized steam system, which is why it requires a safety valve.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton