fail-safe — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. That does not cause undue damage in the event of failure.

   Examples

   The system is failsafe, because everything is backed up automatically.

2. Designed to shut off for safety if an emergency occurs.

   Examples

   All equipment is, of course, of "fail-safe" pattern.

Noun

1. A device, mechanism or measure designed to make something fail-safe.

Verb

1. To compensate automatically, in the event of a failure.

2. To make a device or mechanism fail-safe, or to add a fail-safe device or mechanism to an existing system.

   Related words

   foolproof

Adjective

1. guaranteed not to fail

   Examples

   a fail-safe recipe for cheese souffle

2. eliminating danger by compensating automatically for a failure or malfunction

   Examples

   a fail-safe device in a nuclear weapon to deactivate it automatically in the event of accident

Noun

1. a mechanism capable of returning to a safe state in case there is a failure or malfunction

   Broader terms

   mechanism