security

[si-kyoor-i-tee]

noun

plural

securities 

1. freedom from danger, risk, etc.; safety.

2. freedom from care, anxiety, or doubt; well-founded confidence.

   Synonyms: positiveness, certainty, assurance

3. something that secures or makes safe; protection; defense.

   Synonyms: safety, safeguard

4. freedom from financial cares or from want.

   The insurance policy gave the family security.

5. 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.

6. a department or organization responsible for protection or safety.

   He called security when he spotted the intruder.

7. protection or precautions taken against escape; custody.

   The dangerous criminal was placed under maximum security.

8. an assurance; guarantee.

9. Law.

   1. something given or deposited as surety for the fulfillment of a promise or an obligation, the payment of a debt, etc.

   2. one who becomes surety for another.

10. an evidence of debt or of property, as a bond or a certificate of stock.

11. Usually securities. stocks and bonds.

12. Archaic.,  overconfidence; cockiness.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or serving as security.

   The company has instituted stricter security measures.

security

/ sɪˈkjʊərɪtɪ /

noun

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. (often plural)

   1. a certificate of creditorship or property carrying the right to receive interest or dividend, such as shares or bonds

   2. the financial asset represented by such a certificate

6. the specific asset that a creditor can claim title to in the event of default on an obligation

7. something given or pledged to secure the fulfilment of a promise or obligation

8. a person who undertakes to fulfil another person's obligation

9. the protection of data to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to computer files

10. archaic,  carelessness or overconfidence

Other Word Forms

• nonsecurity noun
• oversecurity noun
• self-security noun
• subsecurity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of security¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English securytye, securite(e), from Latin sēcūritās; secure, -ity

Idioms and Phrases

• lull into (false sense of security)

Example Sentences

As a result, they focus on the risk of dying too soon and losing money, while discounting the security and peace of mind that guaranteed income can offer if they live longer than expected.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The city’s problems — including homelessness and associated grittiness — were apparent at the corners of the crowds, even as chipper convention ambassadors and security officers moved would-be stragglers along.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Controllers, airport security employees, and other essential workers were calling in sick often so they could work another part-time job to pay their bills.

Read more on Salon

Armed gunmen opened fire early Saturday on the office of an Iraqi parliamentary candidate south of Baghdad, wounding two bodyguards, a security source said.

Read more on Barron's

They include the governance of postwar Gaza, disarming Hamas and security arrangements under an Arab-led force.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bond 
• care 
• freedom 
• guarantee 
• insurance 
• preservation 
• surveillance