secure

1 of 2

adjective

se·​cure si-ˈkyu̇r 

-ˈkyər

securer; securest

1

a

: free from danger

b

: affording safety

a secure hideaway

c

: trustworthy, dependable

a secure foundation

d

: free from risk of loss

2

a

: easy in mind : confident

b

: assured in opinion or expectation : having no doubt

c

archaic : unwisely free from fear or distrust : overconfident

3

: assured sense 1

a secure victory

4

: able to reliably afford or access what is needed to meet one's basic needs

However, students who are housing secure may also differ in their consciousness development as compared to students who have experienced housing insecurity.

—Mariah Kornbluh et al.

securely adverb

secureness noun

see also food secure

secure

2 of 2

verb

secured; securing

transitive verb

1

a

: to relieve from exposure to danger : act to make safe against adverse contingencies

secure a supply line from enemy raids

b

: to put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving : guarantee

secure the blessings of liberty

—U.S. Constitution

c

: to give pledge of payment to (a creditor) or of (an obligation)

secure a note by a pledge of collateral

2

a

: to make fast

secure a door

secure a bike to a tree

b

: to take (a person) into custody : hold fast : pinion

3

a

: to get secure usually lasting possession or control of

secure a job

b

: bring about, effect

4

: to release (naval personnel) from work or duty

intransitive verb

1

of naval personnel : to stop work : go off duty

2

of a ship : to tie up : berth

securer noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• assured
• confident
• self-asserting
• self-assured
• self-confident

Verb

• bulwark
• cover
• defend
• fence
• fend
• forfend
• guard
• keep
• protect
• safeguard
• screen
• shield
• ward

Choose the Right Synonym for secure

ensure, insure, assure, secure mean to make a thing or person sure.

ensure, insure, and assure are interchangeable in many contexts where they indicate the making certain or inevitable of an outcome, but ensure may imply a virtual guarantee

the government has ensured the safety of the refugees

, while insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand

careful planning should insure the success of the party

, and assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

I assure you that no harm will be done

secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

sent reinforcements to secure their position

Examples of secure in a Sentence

Adjective

We need to make our network more secure against attacks by hackers.

The children were safe and secure in their beds.

A safe is provided to keep your valuables secure from potential thieves.

You should store your valuables in a secure place.

How secure is your front door?

You are now entering a secure area.

I'm feeling secure about my place in the company.

The company has established a secure foothold in the market.

He believes his job is secure.

They didn't begin to celebrate until they knew their victory was secure.

Verb

We must secure the country's borders.

Secure your belongings under the seat.

secure a child safety seat

The seat is secured to the base by three screws.

She scored a goal to secure the team's victory.

She secured the zoo's future with a handsome bequest.

He secured a loan using his house as collateral.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The suction cup attaches to a windshield or dashboard pad (and proved secure in our testing) and the telescopic arm delivers a wide range of movement for the ideal position. —Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2023

The Indigo Disk takes places in the Blueberry Academy’s secure, underwater campus, which houses four distinct biomes. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Nov. 2023

Putin appears politically secure and in control of the levers of power, from the military and security services to the media and public narrative. —Richard Haass and Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 17 Nov. 2023

For extra pizzazz, sprinkle colorful ornaments or bells between the pinecones and secure with floral wire. —Kaylei Fear, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Nov. 2023

Uniquely made with a blend of cotton and velvet, the cushiony rod cones paired can be paired with two clips and two scrunchies for a secure hold. —Neha Tandon, Glamour, 15 Nov. 2023

The mask has a cotton liner and adjustable ear loops for a secure fit. Price at time of publish: $150 Tips for Buying Silk Travel Accessories Consider care requirements While silk does require special care, that shouldn't discourage you from investing in silk accessories. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 13 Nov. 2023

Political clashes and polarization, stagnant wage growth amid historically high inflation and rising interest rates, and threats of layoffs are seeping into the workplace and affecting how secure employees feel. —Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2023

These partnerships between government, corporations and legal and academic researchers were praised after 2020 as a crucial part of ensuring a secure election. —Kevin Collier, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2023

Verb

Eyes on 2024: Black voters sour on Biden Support from Black voters helped President Joe Biden secure the Democratic nomination and the presidency in 2020, but the latest NBC News poll shows Biden’s support among Black voters is waning. —Mark Murray, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2023

Religious tensions have existed in India since independence in 1947, and Modi’s right-wing followers in his Bharatiya Janata Party and beyond turned to inflammatory rhetoric and violence against Muslims to secure support from Hindus. —Anant Gupta, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023

The Bulldogs were 8-1, ranked in the top 25 and coming off a 37-30 win over Boise State to secure the inside track on a Mountain West championship game berth. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023

The United States has been engaged for weeks in indirect talks with Israel, Hamas and Qatar to secure an agreement. —Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023

Meanwhile, China continues its forward path, securing this year a spot in the top 20 (ranking 20th) due to its formidable technological prowess. —Bysoumitra Dutta, Fortune Europe, 21 Nov. 2023

It was previously announced that the company has also secured a deal with CBS to air the Golden Globe Awards in 2024. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 20 Nov. 2023

With fall in full swing and winter upon us, our favorite e-tailers are giving us a head start to secure some of the season’s top trends: Net-a-Porter kicks things off with deals on Max Mara’s plush teddy coats, The Attico party heels, and chic faux leather jeans from Agolde. —Maia Torres, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2023

To do so, Washington should encourage Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to deepen their diplomatic and economic engagement with Iran in order to secure Tehran’s acquiescence to a permanent settlement for the Palestinian issue and de-escalation in the Levant. —Maria Fantappie and Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin securus safe, secure, from se without + cura care — more at suicide

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1545, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing secure

• financially secure
• safe/secure in the knowledge
• food secure
• be secure in the belief/knowledge

• financially secure
• safe/secure in the knowledge
• food secure
• be secure in the belief/knowledge

Kids Definition

secure

1 of 2 adjective

se·​cure si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r 

securer; securest

1

: easy in mind : confident

secure in the knowledge that help was near

2

a

: providing safety : safe

a secure hideaway

is secure against attack

b

: trustworthy, dependable

secure foundation

3

: sure entry 1 sense 5a, certain

victory is secure

securely adverb

secure

2 of 2 verb

secured; securing

1

a

: to make safe : guard, shield

secure a supply line from enemy raids

b

: to assure payment of

2

a

: to take into custody

secure a prisoner

b

: to fasten tightly

secure a door

3

: to acquire as the result of effort

secure employment

Etymology

Adjective

from Latin securus "safe, secure," literally, "without care," from se "without" and cura "care" — related to cure, sure see Word History at cure

Legal Definition

secure

transitive verb

se·​cure

secured; securing

1

: to put beyond hazard of losing or not receiving

secure the blessings of liberty

—U.S. Constitution preamble

2

a

: to protect or make certain (as by lien)

make a just and equitable partition and secure the parties' respective interests

—Denton v. Lazenby, 879 P.2d 607 (1994)

b

: to give security for (as a loan) or otherwise assure the payment, performance, or execution of with security

the court imposed a lien on his property to secure the judgment

c

: to give or pledge security to (as a creditor)

broadly : to cause to have security or a security interest

a creditor secured by a lien on real property