WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
se•cu•ri•ty /sɪˈkyʊrɪti/USA pronunciation
n., pl. -ties.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- freedom from danger, risk, etc.;
safety:[uncountable]Job security was an important issue. - freedom from care, anxiety, or doubt:[uncountable]a false feeling of security living at home.
- [uncountable] something that protects;
defense. - freedom from financial cares:[uncountable]security in their old age.
- precautions against crime, sabotage, etc.:[uncountable]in charge of plant security.
- a department responsible for safety:[uncountable]Call Security; I think there's a shoplifter on the loose.
- steps taken to prevent escape:[uncountable]a prisoner held in maximum security.
- Law something given as a guarantee for paying back a loan:[uncountable]What can you offer as security for the loan?
- Business securities, [plural] stocks and bonds.
se•cu•ri•ty
(si kyŏŏr′i tē),USA pronunciation n., pl. -ties, adj.
n.
adj.
n.
- freedom from danger, risk, etc.;
safety. - freedom from care, anxiety, or doubt;
well-founded confidence. - something that secures or makes safe;
protection;
defense. - freedom from financial cares or from want:The insurance policy gave the family security.
- precautions taken to guard against crime, attack, sabotage, espionage, etc.:The senator claimed security was lax and potential enemies know our plans.
- a department or organization responsible for protection or safety:He called security when he spotted the intruder.
- protection or precautions taken against escape;
custody:The dangerous criminal was placed under maximum security. - an assurance;
guarantee. - Law
- something given or deposited as surety for the fulfillment of a promise or an obligation, the payment of a debt, etc.
- one who becomes surety for another.
- Businessan evidence of debt or of property, as a bond or a certificate of stock.
- BusinessUsually, securities. stocks and bonds.
- [Archaic.]overconfidence;
cockiness.
adj.
- of, pertaining to, or serving as security:The company has instituted stricter security measures.
- Latin sēcūritās. See secure, -ity
- late Middle English securytye, securite(e) 1400–50
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged assurance, certainty, positiveness.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged safeguard, safety.