babyproof

1 of 2

verb

ba·​by·​proof ˈbā-bē-ˌprüf 

babyproofed; babyproofing

transitive verb

: to make (something) safe for infants and young children by eliminating or minimizing potential hazards

When our oldest child learned to walk we finally had to babyproof the house.

—Jeff Foxworthy

babyproof

2 of 2

adjective

: made safe for infants and young children by the elimination or reduction of potential hazards

Ben and Jessa's house was not yet babyproof, which meant either they had to fix that before 5 p.m. that day when the other kids showed up, or they would risk those kids getting into lots of things they shouldn't.

—Elizabeth Durand Streisand

especially : designed to prevent opening or access by infants and young children

Keep garbage in containers with babyproof lids.

—Kim Zarzour

Examples of babyproof in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Asked whether the agency would now babyproof the fence, Mayhair referred the question to the White House. —Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1921, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1881, in the meaning defined above