Security Definition & Meaning

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    • Synonyms security American [si-kyoor-i-tee] / sɪˈkyʊər ɪ ti /

    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 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

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 security Idioms

      More idioms and phrases containing security

      • lull into (false sense of security)

    Other Word Forms

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

    Etymology

    Origin of security

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

    Example Sentences

    Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

    When Kharouf arrived at the appointed location, agents stuffed him into the back of a truck and drove him to a walled security complex in the city center.

    From The Wall Street Journal

    We had travelled into the dangerous area, about 12km from the Niger border, on Saturday under police escort and with extra security personnel for protection.

    From BBC

    There is also no clarity on another crucial issue: security guarantees.

    From BBC

    A possible three-day trip to Ireland by the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, was discussed by British and Irish officials in March before it was abandoned due to security concerns.

    From BBC

    As a dad now, Stephen's determined not to "perpetuate the cycle" with his own son and instead offer the security and emotional guidance he missed out on.

    From BBC

    Related Words

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

    Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

    Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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