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se·cu·ri·ty
(sĭ-kyo͝or′ĭ-tē)
n. pl. se·cu·ri·ties
1. Freedom from risk or danger; safety.
2. Freedom from doubt, anxiety, or fear; confidence.
3. Something that gives or assures safety, as:
a. A group or department of private guards: Call building security if a visitor acts suspicious.
b. Measures adopted by a government to prevent espionage, sabotage, or attack.
c. Measures adopted, as by a business or homeowner, to prevent a crime such as burglary or assault: Security was lax at the firm’s smaller plant.
d. Measures adopted to prevent escape: Security in the prison is very tight.
4. Something deposited or given as assurance of the fulfillment of an obligation; collateral.
5. One who undertakes to fulfill the obligation of another; a surety.
6. A financial instrument, such as a stock or bond, representing rights of ownership or creditorship and often traded in secondary markets.
[Middle English securite, from Old French, from Latin sēcūritās, from sēcūrus, secure; see secure.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
security
(sɪˈkjʊərɪtɪ)
n, pl -ties
1. the state of being secure
2. assured freedom from poverty or want: he needs the security of a permanent job.
3. a person or thing that secures, guarantees, etc
4. precautions taken to ensure against theft, espionage, etc: the security in the government offices was not very good.
5. (Banking & Finance) (often plural)
a. a certificate of creditorship or property carrying the right to receive interest or dividend, such as shares or bonds
b. the financial asset represented by such a certificate
6. (Banking & Finance) the specific asset that a creditor can claim title to in the event of default on an obligation
7. (Law) something given or pledged to secure the fulfilment of a promise or obligation
8. (Law) a person who undertakes to fulfil another person’s obligation
9. (Computer Science) the protection of data to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to computer files
10. archaic carelessness or overconfidence
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
se•cu•ri•ty
(sɪˈkyʊər ɪ ti)
n., pl. -ties,
adj. n.
1. freedom from danger, risk, etc.; safety.
2. freedom from care, anxiety, or doubt.
3. something that protects or makes safe; defense.
4. freedom from financial cares.
5. precautions taken to guard against crime, sabotage, etc.
6. a department or organization responsible for protection or safety.
7. precautions taken against escape: to be held in maximum security.
8. an assurance; guarantee.
9.
a. something given as surety for the fulfillment of an obligation.
b. a person who becomes surety for another.
10.
a. evidence of property, as a bond or a certificate of stock.
b. securities, stocks and bonds.
11. Archaic. overconfidence; cockiness.
adj.
12. pertaining to security: strict security measures.
[1400–50; late Middle English securytye, securite(e) < Latin sēcūritās]
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
security
- hostage — First referred to the state of someone handed over as a pledge or security (for the fulfillment of an undertaking).
- policy — Meaning «insurance document,» it is from a French word meaning «certificate, contract,» from an earlier Latin word meaning «a receipt or security for money paid.»
- impignorate, pignorate — To impignorate or pignorate means to put up as security or to pawn.
- wage, wager — Wage once meant «pledge, security» and wager was defined as «solemn pledge» or «undertaking,» from French wagier, «to pledge.»
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
security
1. Measures taken by a military unit, activity, or installation to protect itself against all acts designed to, or which may, impair its effectiveness.
2. A condition that results from the establishment and maintenance of protective measures that ensure a state of inviolability from hostile acts or influences.
3. With respect to classified matter, the condition that prevents unauthorized persons from having access to official information that is safeguarded in the interests of national security. See also national security.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  security — the state of being free from danger or injury; «we support the armed services in the name of national security»
safety — the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions; «insure the safety of the children»; «the reciprocal of safety is risk» public security, peace — the general security of public places; «he was arrested for disturbing the peace» secureness — the state of freedom from fear or danger shelter, protection — the condition of being protected; «they were huddled together for protection»; «he enjoyed a sense of peace and protection in his new home» insecurity — the state of being subject to danger or injury |
| 2. | security — defense against financial failure; financial independence; «his pension gave him security in his old age»; «insurance provided protection against loss of wages due to illness»
protection assets — anything of material value or usefulness that is owned by a person or company easy street — financial security hedging, hedge — any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change insurance — promise of reimbursement in the case of loss; paid to people or companies so concerned about hazards that they have made prepayments to an insurance company |
|
| 3. | security — freedom from anxiety or fear; «the watch dog gave her a feeling of security»
fearlessness, bravery — feeling no fear confidence — a feeling of trust (in someone or something); «I have confidence in our team»; «confidence is always borrowed, never owned» |
|
| 4. | security — a formal declaration that documents a fact of relevance to finance and investment; the holder has a right to receive interest or dividends; «he held several valuable securities»
certificate legal document, legal instrument, official document, instrument — (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right agency security, government security — a security issued by United States government agencies or the Farm Credit System mortgage-backed security — a security created when a group of mortgages are gathered together and bonds are sold to other institutions or the public; investors receive a portion of the interest payments on the mortgages as well as the principal payments; usually guaranteed by the government registered security — a security whose owner’s name is recorded on the books of the issuer (or issuer’s agent) scrip — a certificate whose value is recognized by the payer and payee; scrip is not currency but may be convertible into currency stock certificate, stock — a certificate documenting the shareholder’s ownership in the corporation; «the value of his stocks doubled during the past year» tax-exempt, tax-exempt security — a security that is not subject to taxation bond certificate, bond — a certificate of debt (usually interest-bearing or discounted) that is issued by a government or corporation in order to raise money; the issuer is required to pay a fixed sum annually until maturity and then a fixed sum to repay the principal zero coupon security, zero-coupon security — a security that makes no interest payments but instead is sold at a deep discount from its face value partnership certificate — a certificate showing the interests of all parties in a business partnership proprietorship certificate — a certificate showing who is responsible in an individually owned business convertible security, convertible — a corporate security (usually bonds or preferred stock) that can be exchanged for another form of security (usually common stock) letter security — a stock or bond that is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and cannot be sold in the public market listed security — a security that has been accepted for trading by one of the organized and registered securities exchanges in the US OTC security, over the counter security, unlisted security — a security traded in the over-the-counter market |
|
| 5. | security — property that your creditor can claim in case you default on your obligation; «bankers are reluctant to lend without good security»
surety transferred possession, transferred property — a possession whose ownership changes or lapses deposit — money given as security for an article acquired for temporary use; «his deposit was refunded when he returned the car» earnest — something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract recognisance, recognizance — (law) a security entered into before a court with a condition to perform some act required by law; on failure to perform that act a sum is forfeited stock warrant, stock-purchase warrant, warrant — a type of security issued by a corporation (usually together with a bond or preferred stock) that gives the holder the right to purchase a certain amount of common stock at a stated price; «as a sweetener they offered warrants along with the fixed-income securities» |
|
| 6. | security — a department responsible for the security of the institution’s property and workers; «the head of security was a former policeman»
security department department, section — a specialized division of a large organization; «you’ll find it in the hardware department»; «she got a job in the historical section of the Treasury» |
|
| 7. | security — a guarantee that an obligation will be met
surety guarantee, warranty, warrantee, warrant — a written assurance that some product or service will be provided or will meet certain specifications |
|
| 8. | security — an electrical device that sets off an alarm when someone tries to break in
security measure, security system electrical device — a device that produces or is powered by electricity |
|
| 9. | security — measures taken as a precaution against theft or espionage or sabotage etc.; «military security has been stepped up since the recent uprising»
security measures precaution, safeguard, guard — a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.; «he put an ice pack on the injury as a precaution»; «an insurance policy is a good safeguard»; «we let our guard down» |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
security
noun
3. assurance, confidence, safety, comfort, conviction, happiness, certainty, reliance, peace of mind, sureness, positiveness, ease of mind, freedom from doubt, absence of worry He loves the security of a happy home life.
assurance uncertainty, insecurity
5. protection, cover, safety, retreat, asylum, custody, refuge, sanctuary, immunity, preservation, safekeeping He could not remain long in a place of security.
protection exposure, vulnerability, jeopardy
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
security
noun
1. The quality or state of being safe:
2. Reliability in withstanding pressure, force, or stress:
3. The act or a means of defending:
4. Something given to guarantee the repayment of a loan or the fulfillment of an obligation:
The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
bezpečnostbezpečnostní opatřenícenný papírjistotazajištění
sikkerhedtryghed
panttitakausturvaturvallisuusturvatoimet
osiguranje
öryggi
防護
보안
securitate
varnost
säkerhetsäkerhetsåtgärdskyddtrygghettrygghetskänsla
ความปลอดภัย
an ninh
Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
security
[sɪˈkjʊərɪti]
modif [adviser, expert] → en sécurité; [chief] → de la sécurité; [staff] → de sécurité; [alert, arrangements, check, operation, screening] → de sécurité; [gate, door] → de sécurité
security men → vigiles mpl security clearance, security leak, security measure, security threat, security van, security video
securities npl (STOCK EXCHANGE) → valeurs fpl, titres mpl
securities modif (STOCK EXCHANGE) [commission, regulator] → des opérations de Bourse; [industry, market, trading] → des valeurs mobilières securities dealer, securities firmsecurity blanket n
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
security
security
in cpds → Sicherheits-;
security adviser
n → Sicherheitsberater(in) m(f)
security blanket
n
(around politicians etc) → Sicherheitsnetz nt; to throw a security around somebody/something → jdm/etw mit einem Sicherheitsnetz umgeben
(of child) → Kuscheldecke f
security bond
n (Fin) → Bürgschaftswechsel m
security expert
n → Sicherheitsexperte m, → Sicherheitsexpertin f
security force
n → Sicherheitstruppe f; (UN) → Friedenstruppe f
security gap
n → Sicherheitslücke f
security guard
n → Wache f, → Wächter(in) m(f); (for security checks) → Sicherheitsbeamte(r) m → /-beamtin f
security man
n → Wache f, → Wächter m; (for security checks) → Sicherheitsbeamte(r) m; one of the security men → einer der Sicherheitsleute
security police
n → Sicherheitspolizei m
security screening
n (Pol) → Unbedenklichkeitsüberprüfung f
security technology
n → Sicherheitstechnik f
security vetting
n → Sicherheitsüberprüfung f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
security
[sɪˈkjʊərɪtɪ] n
d. (Stock Exchange) securities npl → titoli mpl
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
secure
(siˈkjuə) adjective
1. (often with against or from) safe; free from danger, loss etc. Is your house secure against burglary?; He went on holiday, secure in the knowledge that he had done well in the exam.
2. firm, fastened, or fixed. Is that door secure?
3. definite; not likely to be lost. She has had a secure offer of a job; He has a secure job.
verb
1. (with against or from (something bad)) to guarantee or make safe. Keep your jewellery in the bank to secure it against theft.
2. to fasten or make firm. He secured the boat with a rope.
seˈcurely adverbseˈcurity noun
the state of being, or making safe, secure, free from danger etc. the security of a happy home; This alarm system will give the factory some security; There has to be tight security at a prison; (also adjective) the security forces; a security guard.
security risk
a person considered not safe to be given a job involving knowledge of secrets because he might give secret information to an enemy etc.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
security
→ أَمْن bezpečnostní opatření sikkerhed Sicherheit ασφάλεια seguridad turvatoimet sécurité osiguranje sicurezza 防護 보안 beveiliging sikkerhet bezpieczeństwo segurança безопасность säkerhet ความปลอดภัย güvenlik an ninh 安全
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
security
n. seguridad;
___ measures → medidas de ___.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
1
: the quality or state of being secure: such as
a
: freedom from danger : safety
b
: freedom from fear or anxiety
c
: freedom from the prospect of being laid off
2
a
: something given, deposited, or pledged to make certain the fulfillment of an obligation
3
: an instrument of investment in the form of a document (such as a stock certificate or bond) providing evidence of its ownership
4
b(1)
: measures taken to guard against espionage or sabotage, crime, attack, or escape
(2)
: an organization or department whose task is security
Synonyms
Example Sentences
We must insure our national security.
The college failed to provide adequate security on campus after dark.
There was a lapse in security and the inmates escaped.
We have to go through security at the airport.
We called security when we found the door open.
The meeting was held under tight security.
The prisoner was being kept under maximum security.
I like the security of knowing there will be someone there to help me when I need help.
Growing up in a close family gave her a sense of security.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Media reports at the time indicated casino maintenance workers heard a gunshot around 1 a.m. and reported it to casino security, who in turn called 911. D’Iberville police attempted to aid Craig, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
—
Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 31 Mar. 2023
The 2022 settlement requires assessments of risks to privacy, security, and confidentiality before Twitter launches new or modified products and services.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 31 Mar. 2023
Chemelli said Baltimore County Police officers work closely with the Towson Town Center management and the mall’s private security to deal with criminal issues.
—Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2023
Also read Amazon’s privacy and security white paper for Sidewalk.
—WIRED, 30 Mar. 2023
Israel plays in Europe as a member of UEFA after leaving the Asian Football Confederation in the 1970s for political and security reasons.
—Graham Dunbar, ajc, 30 Mar. 2023
Sébastien Roblin Contributor Sébastien Roblin has written on the technical, historical, and political aspects of international security and conflict for publications including 19FortyFive, The National Interest, MSNBC, Forbes.com, Inside Unmanned Systems and War is Boring.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 30 Mar. 2023
In his speech, DeSantis discussed his approach to any number of issues that are likely to surface in the 2024 election: COVID policy, border security, crime, and foreign policy.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2023
Adams has inspected all the buildings and has obtained a $500,000 line of credit to reestablish security and management at the properties and begin making repairs, Feldstein Soto said.
—Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘security.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of security was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near security
Cite this Entry
“Security.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/security. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on security
Last Updated:
2 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
Other forms: securities
Security means safety, as well as the measures taken to be safe or protected. In order to provide adequate security for the parade, town officials often hire extra guards.
A small child will sometimes latch on to a blanket or stuffed animal that gives him or her the feeling of security. Often this word is used in compounds such as a security measure, security check or security guard. The security department in a business is sometimes just called security. If there’s a troublesome customer at your work, call security to take him away. In the financial world, a stock or bond is also called a security.
Definitions of security
-
noun
the state of being free from danger or injury
“we support the armed services in the name of national
security” -
noun
freedom from anxiety or fear
“the watch dog gave her a feeling of
security” -
noun
measures taken as a precaution against theft or espionage or sabotage etc.
“military
security has been stepped up since the recent uprising”-
synonyms:
security measures
-
noun
defense against financial failure; financial independence
“his pension gave him
security in his old age”-
synonyms:
protection
see moresee less-
types:
- show 17 types…
- hide 17 types…
-
easy street
financial security
-
hedge, hedging
any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change
-
insurance
promise of reimbursement in the case of loss; paid to people or companies so concerned about hazards that they have made prepayments to an insurance company
-
assurance
a British term for some kinds of insurance
-
automobile insurance, car insurance
insurance against loss due to theft or traffic accidents
-
business interruption insurance
insurance that provides protection for the loss of profits and continuing fixed expenses resulting from a break in commercial activities due to the occurrence of a peril
-
coinsurance
insurance issued jointly by two or more underwriters
-
fire insurance
insurance against loss due to fire
-
group insurance
insurance that is purchased by a group (such as the employees of a company) usually at a reduced rate to individual members of the group
-
hazard insurance
insurance that provides protection against certain risks such as storms or fires
-
health insurance
insurance against loss due to ill health
-
liability insurance
insurance that provides protection from claims arising from injuries or damage to other people or property
-
life assurance, life insurance
insurance paid to named beneficiaries when the insured person dies
-
malpractice insurance
insurance purchased by physicians and hospitals to cover the cost of being sued for malpractice
-
reinsurance
sharing the risk by insurance companies; part or all of the insurer’s risk is assumed by other companies in return for part of the premium paid by the insured
-
self-insurance
insuring yourself by setting aside money to cover possible losses rather than by purchasing an insurance policy
-
term insurance
low-cost insurance that is valid only for a stated period of time and has no cash surrender value or loan value
-
type of:
-
assets
anything of material value or usefulness that is owned by a person or company
-
noun
a formal declaration that documents a fact of relevance to finance and investment; the holder has a right to receive interest or dividends
“he held several valuable
securities”-
synonyms:
certificate
see moresee less-
types:
- show 34 types…
- hide 34 types…
-
agency security, government security
a security issued by United States government agencies or the Farm Credit System
-
mortgage-backed security
a security created when a group of mortgages are gathered together and bonds are sold to other institutions or the public; investors receive a portion of the interest payments on the mortgages as well as the principal payments; usually guaranteed by the government
-
registered security
a security whose owner’s name is recorded on the books of the issuer (or issuer’s agent)
-
scrip
a certificate whose value is recognized by the payer and payee; scrip is not currency but may be convertible into currency
-
stock, stock certificate
a certificate documenting the shareholder’s ownership in the corporation
-
tax-exempt, tax-exempt security
a security that is not subject to taxation
-
bond, bond certificate
a certificate of debt (usually interest-bearing or discounted) that is issued by a government or corporation in order to raise money; the issuer is required to pay a fixed sum annually until maturity and then a fixed sum to repay the principal
-
zero coupon security, zero-coupon security
a security that makes no interest payments but instead is sold at a deep discount from its face value
-
partnership certificate
a certificate showing the interests of all parties in a business partnership
-
proprietorship certificate
a certificate showing who is responsible in an individually owned business
-
convertible, convertible security
a corporate security (usually bonds or preferred stock) that can be exchanged for another form of security (usually common stock)
-
letter security
a stock or bond that is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and cannot be sold in the public market
-
listed security
a security that has been accepted for trading by one of the organized and registered securities exchanges in the US
-
OTC security, over the counter security, unlisted security
a security traded in the over-the-counter market
-
bond issue
bonds sold by a corporation or government agency at a particular time and identifiable by date of maturity
-
convertible bond
a bond that can be converted to other securities under certain conditions
-
corporate bond
a bond issued by a corporation; carries no claim to ownership and pays no dividends but payments to bondholders have priority over payments to stockholders
-
bearer bond, coupon bond
a bond issued with detachable coupons that must be presented to the issuer for interest payments
-
government bond
a bond that is an IOU of the United States Treasury; considered the safest security in the investment world
-
high-yield bond, junk bond
a (speculative) bond with a credit rating of BB or lower; issued for leveraged buyouts and other takeovers by companies with questionable credit
-
municipal bond
a bond issued by a state or local government
-
noncallable bond
a bond containing a provision that the holder cannot redeem the security before a specific date (usually at maturity)
-
performance bond, surety bond
a bond given to protect the recipient against loss in case the terms of a contract are not filled; a surety company assumes liability for nonperformance
-
post-obit bond
a bond made by a reversioner to secure a loan; payable out of his reversion
-
registered bond
a bond whose owner is recorded on the books of the issuer; can be transferred to another owner only when endorsed by the registered owner
-
revenue bond
a bond issued by an agency that is commissioned to finance public works; revenue from the public property is used to pay off the bond
-
secured bond
a bond that is back by collateral
-
debenture, debenture bond, unsecured bond
the ability of a customer to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future
-
zero coupon bond, zero-coupon bond
a bond that is issued at a deep discount from its value at maturity and pays no interest during the life of the bond; the commonest form of zero-coupon security
-
share
any of the equal portions into which the capital stock of a corporation is divided and ownership of which is evidenced by a stock certificate
-
Premium Bond
a government bond that bears no interest or capital gains but enters the holder into lotteries
-
letter stock
stock that has not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and cannot be sold to the general public
-
letter bond
a bond that has not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and cannot be sold to the general public
-
OTC stock, over the counter stock, unlisted stock
stock that is not listed and traded on an organized exchange
-
type of:
-
instrument, legal document, legal instrument, official document
(law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
-
noun
a guarantee that an obligation will be met
-
noun
property that your creditor can claim in case you default on your obligation
“bankers are reluctant to lend without good
security”-
synonyms:
surety
-
noun
a department responsible for the security of the institution’s property and workers
“the head of
security was a former policeman”-
synonyms:
security department
-
noun
an electrical device that sets off an alarm when someone tries to break in
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘security’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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Find below definitions and meanings of Security. If we don’t currently have any definitions there is a link to check definitions on Google. Also find a similar words the begin with the same characters, end with the same characters, anagrams, reverse anagrams, word scrambles and words with similar letters.
Synonyms of Security will be presented below each meaning if they are available.
SECURITY has a SCRABBLE points total of 13.
S1E1C3U1R1I1T1Y4
SECURITY has a WORDS WITH FRIENDS points total of 14.
S1E1C4U2R1I1T1Y3
SECURITY has a WORDFEUD points total of 15.
S1E1C4U2R1I1T1Y4
- Top Definitions
- Synonyms
- Quiz
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- Examples
- British
- Idioms And Phrases
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
[ si-kyoor-i-tee ]
/ sɪˈkyʊər ɪ ti /
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
noun, plural se·cu·ri·ties.
freedom from danger, risk, etc.; safety.
freedom from care, anxiety, or doubt; well-founded confidence.
freedom from financial cares or from want: The insurance policy gave the family security.
precautions taken to guard against crime, attack, sabotage, espionage, etc.: claims that security was lax at the embassy;the importance of computer security to prevent hackers from gaining access.
a department or organization responsible for protection or safety: He called security when he spotted the intruder.
protection or precautions taken against escape; custody: The dangerous criminal was placed under maximum security.
Law.
- something given or deposited as surety for the fulfillment of a promise or an obligation, the payment of a debt, etc.
- one who becomes surety for another.
an evidence of debt or of property, as a bond or a certificate of stock.
Usually securities. stocks and bonds.
Archaic. overconfidence; cockiness.
adjective
of, relating to, or serving as security: The company has instituted stricter security measures.
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Origin of security
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English securytye, securite(e), from Latin sēcūritās; see origin at secure, -ity
OTHER WORDS FROM security
non·se·cu·ri·ty, noun, plural non·se·cu·ri·ties.o·ver·se·cu·ri·ty, nounself-se·cu·ri·ty, nounsub·se·cu·ri·ty, noun, plural sub·se·cu·ri·ties.
Words nearby security
securities, Securities and Exchange Commission, Securities and Investments Board, Securities Exchange Act, securitization, security, security analyst, security blanket, Security Council, security guard, security of tenure
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to security
bond, care, freedom, guarantee, insurance, preservation, surveillance, confidence, aegis, agreement, armament, armor, asylum, bail, collateral, compact, contract, covenant, cover, custody
How to use security in a sentence
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India banned TikTok over security concerns despite the 200 million users in the country.
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Washington wants assurance that TikTok’s data collection practices aren’t a threat to national security.
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It makes registration significantly easier, but state registration websites can be compromised in cases where web security protocols are not up to date.
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Last month I wrote about how building an outdoor fort can give kids a sense of security and purpose in these uncertain times.
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TikTok has fixed four security bugs in its Android app that could have led to the hijacking of user accounts.
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This is a blow against freedom of speech, we were told, by the likes of Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson.
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A Charlie Hebdo reporter said that security provision had been relaxed in the last month or so and the police car disappeared.
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It opens with Huckabee’s dramatic recollection of going through security at the airport.
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Security officials told Agence France-Presse that the gas station manager said he had recognized the two men.
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“There is a heavy security presence but nothing has changed,” agrees Father Javier.
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This treacherous sort of calm, we thought, might forbode a storm, and we did not allow it to lull us into security.
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He said nothing, however, to the friends he had in view to put up the money and that necessary security.
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The promoters went his security and put up the cash into the bargain, and he went back to the publishing house victorious.
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Her knowledge of native headgear was not extensive, so this measure of extra security did not surprise her.
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This state of security proved a fortunate circumstance, as many of the poor women were at the same time in a state of pregnancy.
British Dictionary definitions for security
noun plural -ties
the state of being secure
assured freedom from poverty or wanthe needs the security of a permanent job
a person or thing that secures, guarantees, etc
precautions taken to ensure against theft, espionage, etcthe security in the government offices was not very good
(often plural)
- a certificate of creditorship or property carrying the right to receive interest or dividend, such as shares or bonds
- the financial asset represented by such a certificate
the specific asset that a creditor can claim title to in the event of default on an obligation
something given or pledged to secure the fulfilment of a promise or obligation
a person who undertakes to fulfil another person’s obligation
the protection of data to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to computer files
archaic carelessness or overconfidence
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with security
In addition to the idiom beginning with security
- security blanket
also see:
- lull into (false sense of security)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.