Security Council

American  

noun

1. the division of the United Nations charged with maintaining international peace, composed of five permanent members (U.S., Russian Federation, France, United Kingdom, and the People's Republic of China) and ten temporary members, each serving for two years.

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Security Council British  

noun

1. a permanent organ of the United Nations established to maintain world peace. It consists of five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) and ten nonpermanent members

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Security Council Cultural  

1. An important division of the United Nations that contains five permanent members — the United States, Britain, China, France, and Russia — and ten rotating members. It is often called into session to respond quickly to international crises. Any permanent member can exercise a veto over a resolution before the Security Council.

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Example Sentences

The Security Council deliberations are expected to begin in late July, before a General Assembly vote in the following months.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

"As Unifil's mandate is about to expire, the Security Council must make a responsible decision to ensure the continued UN presence in Lebanon, and to prevent a security vacuum," said Fu Cong, China's UN envoy.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

Security Council, where most nations get rotating seats but no veto.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

Bill Clinton condemned the attack "in the strongest terms," and the United Nations Security Council condemned the use of weapons against civilian aircraft in flight.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Security Council intervened in South African affairs, blaming the government for the shootings and urging it to initiate measures to bring about racial equality.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela