SECURITY BLANKET Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

security blanket

noun

a blanket or other familiar item carried especially by a young child to provide reassurance and a feeling of psychological security.
someone or something that gives a person a sense of protection or a feeling of security:
His wealthy uncle is his security blanket.

security blanket

noun

a policy of temporary secrecy by police or those in charge of security, in order to protect a person, place, etc, threatened with danger, from further risk
a baby's blanket, soft toy, etc, to which a baby or young child becomes very attached, using it as a comforter
informal.
anything used or thought of as providing reassurance

Discover More

�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of security blanket¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Something that dispels anxiety, as in I always carry my appointments calendar; it's my security blanket . This colloquial term, dating from about 1960, was at first (and still is) used for the blanket or toy or other object held by a young child to reduce anxiety.

Discover More

Example Sentences

American presidents going back to Dwight D. Eisenhower in the late 1950s have complained, with good reason, about Europeans getting a free ride from the US security blanket over Europe.

From

Endries emerged as a reliable security blanket for Harris, who targeted him throughout the game.

From

“True security blanket. He’s someone I can go to at any moment and he’s going to make a big play happen.”

From

They act as a filing system, inspiration and even a security blanket, but when the case is solved, Preston asks: “Why would she need the totes anymore?”

From

He was the security blanket, especially after the Rams lost receiver Puka Nacua, who was ejected in the second quarter for throwing a punch.

From

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Browse