secure

adjective

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se·cure | \ si-ˈkyu̇r

, -ˈkyər \

securer; securest

Definition of secure

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : free from danger

b : affording safety a secure hideaway

c : trustworthy, dependable a secure foundation

d : free from risk of loss

2a : 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

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 make fast secure a door secure a bike to a tree

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

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 As the western economies start planning for comparatively normal working conditions in the Indian subcontinent, Africa and South America are less secure. — Nancy Doyle, Forbes, "Are We All Hermits Now? Tips For Transitioning Back To Work," 5 May 2021 In some places civilians with crude weapons have battled security forces, while in central areas military and government facilities that have been secure for generations have been hit by rocket attacks and a wave of small, unexplained blasts. — Reuters, CNN, "Eight killed as Myanmar security forces fire on 'spring revolution' protests," 2 May 2021 Not to mention that using an official streaming service is also more secure than any product that streams pirated content. — Chris Smith, BGR, "‘Netflix for Pirates’ is coming back after being forced offline," 27 Apr. 2021 Walmart buyers enjoyed the smooth cut of the table's wood and how secure its legs were during assembly. — Jon Winkler, USA TODAY, "Patio furniture galore is on sale right now at Walmart—shop all the best pieces," 27 Apr. 2021 Insert the expansion tubes into pre-drilled holes on the wall and tighten screws until the baskets are secure for easy installation. — Daria Smith, Southern Living, "Amazon Farmhouse Kitchen Décor That'll Make Your Shabby-Chic Dreams Come True," 9 Apr. 2021 All of which leaves many Jordanians and their allies grappling with one uncomfortable truth: the unshakable, stable monarchy is not as secure as once believed. — Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, "It doesn’t happen here: Why ‘coup plot’ in Jordan sent shock waves," 5 Apr. 2021 Each player straps a belt around his waist, and the device, a wearable technology pad, is secure inside a plastic covering. — Pat Stoetzer, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Francis Scott Key football using new technology to speed up tempo, practice social distancing," 5 Apr. 2021 And keep in mind that debit card transactions are less secure than using a credit card since thieves could intercept your PIN code and empty your coffers. — cleveland, "Put the cap on gas prices: 6 ways to save at the pump," 3 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Maybe Chelsea won't be relying on winning the Champions League to secure a return next season after all. — Rob Harris, ajc, "Man City title celebrations on hold after losing to Chelsea," 8 May 2021 Former president Donald Trump won Louisiana in 2016 and 2020, but Biden is trying to secure support for his legislative proposal from the state’s voters despite criticism from the Republican lawmakers representing them in Washington. — BostonGlobe.com, "Biden takes infrastructure plan to the South," 6 May 2021 The Sarayaku people of Ecuador are fighting to secure legal protection for Amazonian plants and animals, Emily Laber-Warren reports in Sapiens. — Los Angeles Times, "Too many crowds in Joshua Tree? Try this otherworldly desert trip," 6 May 2021 India is in the grip of a devastating surge that has overwhelmed hospitals struggling to secure oxygen supplies. — Rod Mcguirk, Star Tribune, "Australia faces court challenge to its Indian travel ban," 5 May 2021 Scrambling to secure familial, political, and financial alliances, tensions rise as a bitter corporate battle threatens to turn into a family civil war. — Clark Collis, EW.com, "Adrien Brody joins Succession as billionaire activist investor for season 3," 5 May 2021 Once the crew splashes down, speed boats will rush to the capsule to secure it while the recovery ship gets in place. — Washington Post, "SpaceX Crew-1 NASA astronauts headed home after six-month stay on International Space Station," 2 May 2021 Install braces between each of the bookcases to space and secure them to the wall. — Jada Jackson, House Beautiful, "Here's How You Can Turn IKEA's Billy Bookshelf Into Your Very Own Built-In Bookcase," 26 Apr. 2021 Such optimism is notable but not unique, as other colonials have chosen to celebrate independence even while fighting to secure it—as on July 4, 1776. — WSJ, "India Helped Bangladesh to Its Independence," 1 Apr. 2021

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

9 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Secure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secure. Accessed 10 May. 2021.

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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

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