secure

adjective

se·cure | \ si-ˈkyu̇r

, -ˈkyər\

securer; securest

Definition of secure

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a archaic : unwisely free from fear or distrust : overconfident

b : easy in mind : confident

c : assured in opinion or expectation : having no doubt

2a : free from danger

b : free from risk of loss

c : affording safety a secure hideaway

d : trustworthy, dependable a secure foundation

3 : assured sense 1 a secure victory

secure

verb

secured; securing

Definition of secure (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : to take (a person) into custody : hold fast : pinion

b : to make fast secure a door secure a bike to a tree

3a : 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

Other Words from secure Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about secure

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Choose the Right Synonym for secure

Verb

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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

When Trump signed an executive order to erect a wall on the border, Faulconer said there already is a safe and secure border in San Diego built by the federal government. — Julie Watson, The Seattle Times, "San Diego mayor unveils plan to integrate immigrants," 4 Feb. 2019 Typically the only platforms that are secure are ones designed specifically for the delivery of telehealth. — Cassie Shortsleeve, SELF, "How to Actually Have a Successful Teletherapy Appointment," 2 Feb. 2019 This October, the women’s focused co-working and community space The Wing marked two-years since opening its doors to give women a safe and secure place to collaborate and work. — Abby Gardner, Glamour, "The Wing's Next Big Idea: Childcare Services for Moms," 23 Oct. 2018 Election officials insist the voting system is safe and secure. — Joshua Partlow, Anchorage Daily News, "Andrés Manuel López Obrador wins Mexican presidential race," 2 July 2018 Keep animals in a safe and secure location, away from firework activity. — Daniel Wilson, sacbee, "Your guide to celebrating a midweek Fourth of July," 2 July 2018 Election officials insist the voting system is safe and secure. — Joshua Partlow And Maya Averbuch, BostonGlobe.com, "Mexicans head to polls to choose a new president as relations with US grow unusually fraught," 1 July 2018 Experts who work at resettlement agencies and researchers who have studied them say the agencies bear some responsibility for not doing more to ensure that refugee housing is safe and secure. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Some refugees resettling in America find gun violence instead of peace," 27 June 2018 All had out-of-town landlords who thumbed their noses at codes meant to keep their properties safe and secure. — Ronnie Polaneczky, Philly.com, "L&I gets it right with developer of 'potential death trap' | Ronnie Polaneczky," 10 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

British Prime Minister Theresa May secured concessions from the European Union over her Brexit divorce deal Monday, in a last-minute push to head off a large-scale defeat when the British Parliament votes on the agreement Tuesday. — Laurence Norman, WSJ, "Theresa May Secures Last-Minute Concessions Ahead of Crucial Brexit Vote," 11 Mar. 2019 Changes to the Facebook apps Zuckerberg said that Facebook is basing its evolution on several principles: private interactions, encryption, reducing permanence, safety, interoperability, and securing data storage. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Zuckerberg, Facebook commit to building 'privacy focused platform,' dodging ads and fake news," 6 Mar. 2019 The West Virginia teachers went on strike over rising health care costs, eventually securing a pay bump and a freeze on insurance premiums. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "Is employer-sponsored insurance really a good deal for workers?," 7 Feb. 2019 Pull your hair into a high ponytail and secure your braids with an elastic band. — Victoria Rodriguez, Seventeen, "5 Ways to Style Box Braids With A Scarf," 4 Feb. 2019 Your set comes with 2 twin-size mattresses that can be used separately, attached to make a king, or stacked and secured with a clip to make a taller and more supportive single bed. — Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping, "The 5 Best Air Mattresses on the Market," 20 Dec. 2018 The van also has its furniture secured via floor rails which allows for seats to be added or removed from the van. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Modular camper van comes with its own movie theater," 7 Sep. 2018 Reece Vitelli scored two goals in the final three minutes to secure the win for Everett. — Seattle Times Staff, The Seattle Times, "Seattle Pacific men stay hot, defeat No. 12 Saint Martin’s," 19 Feb. 2019 McSally appears to have weathered any residual controversy to secure the appointment, however. — Li Zhou, Vox, "Republican Martha McSally lost Arizona’s Senate race. She’s being appointed to the Senate anyway.," 18 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'secure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

16 Mar 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for secure

The first known use of secure was circa 1545

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More Definitions for secure

secure

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of secure

(Entry 1 of 2)

: protected from danger or harm

: providing protection from danger or harm

: guarded so that no one can enter or leave without approval

secure

verb

English Language Learners Definition of secure (Entry 2 of 2)

somewhat formal

: to make (something) safe by guarding or protecting it

: to put (something) in a place or position so that it will not move

: to make (something) certain

See the full definition for secure in the English Language Learners Dictionary

secure

adjective

se·cure | \ si-ˈkyu̇r

securer; securest

Kids Definition of secure

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : free from danger or risk Being home made me feel secure.

2 : strong or firm enough to ensure safety a secure lock

3 : free from worry or doubt : confident He's secure in his abilities.

4 : sure entry 1 sense 5, certain Victory is secure.

secure

verb

secured; securing

Kids Definition of secure (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to make safe Police secured the building.

2 : to fasten or put something in a place to keep it from coming loose Secure your belongings under the seat.

3 : to get hold of : acquire … “Your father has finally secured passage for us …”— Theodore Taylor, The Cay

secure

transitive verb

se·cure

secured; securing

Legal Definition of secure

1 : to put beyond hazard of losing or not receiving secure the blessings of liberty — U.S. Constitution preamble

2a : 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