security

[ si-kyoor-i-tee ]

noun

, plural se·cu·ri·ties.

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 Words From

• nonse·curi·ty noun plural nonsecurities
• over·se·curi·ty noun
• self-se·curi·ty noun
• subse·curi·ty noun plural subsecurities

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

In addition to the idiom beginning with security , also see lull into (false sense of security) .

Example Sentences

India banned TikTok over security concerns despite the 200 million users in the country.

From Search Engine Watch

Washington wants assurance that TikTok’s data collection practices aren’t a threat to national security.

From Fortune

It makes registration significantly easier, but state registration websites can be compromised in cases where web security protocols are not up to date.

From Fortune

Last month I wrote about how building an outdoor fort can give kids a sense of security and purpose in these uncertain times.

From Outside Online

TikTok has fixed four security bugs in its Android app that could have led to the hijacking of user accounts.

From TechCrunch

This is a blow against freedom of speech, we were told, by the likes of Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson.

From The Daily Beast

A Charlie Hebdo reporter said that security provision had been relaxed in the last month or so and the police car disappeared.

From The Daily Beast

It opens with Huckabee's dramatic recollection of going through security at the airport.

From The Daily Beast

Security officials told Agence France-Presse that the gas station manager said he had recognized the two men.

From The Daily Beast

“There is a heavy security presence but nothing has changed,” agrees Father Javier.

From The Daily Beast

This treacherous sort of calm, we thought, might forbode a storm, and we did not allow it to lull us into security.

From Project Gutenberg

He said nothing, however, to the friends he had in view to put up the money and that necessary security.

From Project Gutenberg

The promoters went his security and put up the cash into the bargain, and he went back to the publishing house victorious.

From Project Gutenberg

Her knowledge of native headgear was not extensive, so this measure of extra security did not surprise her.

From Project Gutenberg

This state of security proved a fortunate circumstance, as many of the poor women were at the same time in a state of pregnancy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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