security
/sɪˈkjʊərɪti
/ /sɪˈkjɔːrɪti/noun (plural securities)
1 [mass noun] The state of being free from danger or threat: the system is designed to provide maximum security against toxic spills job security...
- The only true security against nuclear dangers is an enforceable ban on all nuclear weapons.
- According to him however, Government has to guarantee security against international threats.
- What should we be doing to ensure vaccine safety and security against external threats?
Synonyms
certainty, safe future, assured future, safety, reliability, dependability, solidness, soundness
1.1The safety of a state or organization against criminal activity such as terrorism, theft, or espionage: a matter of national security...
- Nicknamed the Jersey Girls, they became experts on national security and terrorism.
- President Bush put terrorism and national security at the center of congressional races.
- Wealth is therefore an instrument in the creation of national security and national welfare.
Synonyms
safety, freedom from danger;
protection, safe keeping, shielding, guarding, care;
invulnerability, impregnability, unassailability
1.2Procedures followed or measures taken to ensure the security of a state or organization: amid tight security the presidents met in the Colombian resort...
- A huge team of people will ensure that the necessary security measures are in place.
- Elea then set up a series of security measures to ensure that sure an occurrence could never happen again.
- City institutions were just told to make sure that their existing checks and security procedures were working.
Synonyms
safety measures, safeguards;
guards, surveillance, defence, protection
1.3The state of feeling safe, stable, and free from fear or anxiety: this man could give her the emotional security she needed...
- You are able to drop old fears and apprehension about material and emotional security.
- For one thing, we are afraid, and in times of fear we crave security above all.
- The problems could relate to declining health, declining income or declining emotional security.
Synonyms
feeling of safety, feeling of ease, absence of worry/anxiety, peace of mind, freedom from doubt, certainty, happiness, comfort, confidence
2A thing deposited or pledged as a guarantee of the fulfilment of an undertaking or the repayment of a loan, to be forfeited in case of default.The money was being used as security for costs until the appeal was completed....
- The plaintiffs say that this property could be put up for security for costs.
- David has offered the Ace Patent to me as security against this money, which, quite frankly, I am not prepared to accept.
Synonyms
guarantee, collateral, surety, pledge, bond;
hostage, pawn, backing, bail
archaic gage, earnest
3 (often securities) A certificate attesting credit, the ownership of stocks or bonds, or the right to ownership connected with tradable derivatives.The new rules also make donating mutual funds, stocks, bonds and other securities more attractive....
- For those with an interest in individual securities, there are stocks and bonds to meet every need.
- The Fed uses this cash to purchase securities from primary government bond dealers.
Phrases
on security of something
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French securite or Latin securitas, from securus 'free from care' (see secure).
sure from Middle English:
This is from Old French sur, from Latin securus ‘free from care’. The same Latin word gives us security (Late Middle English), the legal surety (Middle English), and insecure (mid 17th century) ‘not free from care’, as well as assure (Late Middle English). See curate