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 Phrases Containing secure Learn More About secure

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The zip closure is secure and creates a tight seal that successfully prevents leaks and spills. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 4 May 2022 Faalele’s roster spot is secure, barring a serious injury. — Jonas Shaffer, Baltimore Sun, 3 May 2022 That’s the 1Password feature that tells you how secure your accounts are and whether attackers might have hacked any of your passwords in the past. — Chris Smith, BGR, 3 May 2022 While only one of the Democratic incumbents has drawn a challenger, seven Republican secretaries will be facing at least one GOP opponent who either denies Biden won or makes unsubstantiated claims that elections are not secure. — Christina A. Cassidy, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Apr. 2022 After Netflix released its earnings data, some of the workers laid off this week said they had been assured by managers that their jobs were secure. — Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2022 Grand Gulf Nuclear Station was not involved in this occurrence and the site is secure. ... — CBS News, 29 Apr. 2022 Snake hunting aside, the show aims to critique class and capitalism, highlighting the lengths at which people will go to be financially secure. — Mekita Rivas, refinery29.com, 28 Apr. 2022 Implement and manage a secure system development life cycle (SDLC) program. — David Lam, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb In his nightly address on Saturday, Zelensky said Ukraine is working on a plan to evacuate the troops and secure humanitarian corridors for the residents of Mariupol and surrounding settlements. — Washington Post, 8 May 2022 Rutledge hopes to secure a majority of the votes in the primary election and avoid a runoff. — Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 8 May 2022 The top-seeded Terps outscored the host Scarlet Knights 11-1 in the second half to secure their fourth Big Ten Tournament championship and first since 2018. — Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2022 The European Union looks set to secure a ban on Russian oil imports to its 27 member states, a historic shift designed to hit Russia’s national finances and weaken its war machine as the invasion grinds on into its 11th week. — Patrick Smith, NBC News, 7 May 2022 The upset allowed Cremonese to climb back to second place and secure their return to Italy’s grandest soccer stage 26 years after last time. — Daniele Proch, Forbes, 7 May 2022 At her own museum, now fortified with razor wire, that has meant helping secure money for staff who remain in country. — Malcolm Gay, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2022 Richardson helped the State Department secure the release of Evan Hunziker, who was the first American citizen to be arrested in North Korea on espionage charges since the end of the Korean War. — Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 4 May 2022 The ability to have control over family planning choices has helped women secure job opportunities and financial security, Fremstad added. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 4 May 2022 See More

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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Dictionary Entries Near secure

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Last Updated

9 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Secure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secure. Accessed 18 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for secure

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