security guard

American  

noun

1. a uniformed guard employed by a bank, airport, office building, etc., to maintain security.

---

security guard British  

noun

1. a person employed to protect buildings, people, etc, and to collect and deliver large sums of money

---

Etymology

Origin of security guard

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Chapman got the name Grizz while working as a security guard at nightclubs around New York.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

A mosque security guard is being remembered for courageous actions that authorities say saved lives in the attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego that left three people dead.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

San Diego Police Department Chief Scott Wahl said the suspects ran past the security guard, identified as Amin Abdullah, at about 11:40 on Monday morning.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Abdullah was a security guard at the mosque and a father of eight.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

The closest security guard bounded up the stairs from the sixth floor and onto the roof, in time to see the scythes stepping out.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• caretaker
• custodian
• patrolman
• policeman
• warden