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

This could be a Chapter IV mandate adopted by the United Nations Security Council, which includes permission to use force not just in self-defense.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

“Our lead over China will atrophy,” said Chris McGuire, who served as a National Security Council official in the Biden administration and at the State Department under Trump through August.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

They were also bolstered by senior European diplomats as well as foreign ministers from the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council - the UK, France, China and Russia.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Then Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the country’s Supreme National Security Council agreed to cease attacks and allow “safe passage” of ships through the strait, in post on X External link.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Later that afternoon McNamara drove back to the White House for a National Security Council meeting.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin