security

American  

[si-kyoor-i-tee] / sɪˈkjʊər ɪ ti /

noun

securities plural

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.

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adjective

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

   The company has instituted stricter security measures.

security British  

/ 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

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security Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing security

• lull into (false sense of security)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• securities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of security

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

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

And yet now, as Canada’s leader, Carney would make an expanded version of the same case to America’s closest allies—that the entire global security system was too dependent on Uncle Sam.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026

Doha later summoned Iran's deputy ambassador to lodge a complaint, demanding an explanation and urging Tehran to "immediately cease any practices undermining regional security."

From Barron's • Jul. 7, 2026

How do we reconcile this desire for liquid cash security with a tendency for hyper-speculative investing?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026

It added that the assaults were "an attack on the security and safety of international navigation, and the security of global energy supplies".

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026

We both tensed as the security officers ran past our fountain.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

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