safekeeping
C1Formal / Legal / Financial
Definition
Meaning
The act of keeping something safe; the state of being protected or held securely.
Can refer to the formal custody or guardianship of valuables, documents, or people (e.g., prisoners), often implying a legal or professional responsibility.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A non-count noun typically used in the phrase 'for safekeeping' or 'in the safekeeping of' to denote the purpose or agent of protection. Suggests intentional, careful protection rather than incidental safety.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both use it in similar legal, financial, and general contexts.
Connotations
Slightly formal in both varieties; associated with banking, legal agreements, and official custody.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; perhaps marginally more common in American legal/financial jargon.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[leave/deposit/entrust] + [object] + for safekeeping[object] + is/are + in the safekeeping of + [person/institution]the safekeeping of + [valuables/information]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “For safekeeping (fixed phrase)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the secure storage of documents, funds, or intellectual property. 'The deed is held by the bank for safekeeping.'
Academic
Used in historical or legal texts discussing the custody of artefacts or evidence. 'The manuscript's safekeeping is the library's primary concern.'
Everyday
Used when giving something valuable to someone to look after. 'I gave my spare key to my neighbour for safekeeping.'
Technical
In data security, can refer to the protection of encryption keys or backups. 'The protocol ensures the safekeeping of cryptographic seeds.'
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I gave my passport to the hotel manager for safekeeping.
- The jewellery was placed in a deposit box for safekeeping during the renovation.
- The treaty's original copy is entrusted to the national archives for permanent safekeeping.
- The new regulations impose stricter duties regarding the safekeeping of clients' assets by investment firms.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a **safe** where you **keep** your valuables. Safe + keeping = safekeeping.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS CONTAINMENT (held securely in a place or by a person).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'безопасное хранение' in all contexts. For the phrase 'for safekeeping', use 'на хранение' or 'для сохранности'. The noun 'сейф-кипинг' does not exist.
- Do not confuse with 'safety' (безопасность). 'Safekeeping' is about the *act* of protecting, not the general state of being safe.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a safekeeping'). It is uncountable.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to safekeep'). The correct verb is 'to keep safe'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'safekeeping' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, unhyphenated word in modern usage, though older texts may use 'safe-keeping'.
Not usually. The standard prepositional phrase is 'for safekeeping' without an article (e.g., 'hold it for safekeeping'). You use 'the' when specifying the agent (e.g., 'in the safekeeping of the bank').
There is no direct verb 'to safekeep'. Use phrases like 'to keep safe', 'to place in safekeeping', or 'to entrust for safekeeping'.
Yes, it is generally formal or official. In casual conversation, people might simply say 'to keep it safe' or 'to look after it'.