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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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

Of course, one of those is an actual real love and one of them is onscreen romance/offscreen friendship, but the former is secure enough to never get jealous of the latter, which is good, considering Sophie's line of work. — Marie Claire, "Sophie Turner Says She's "In Love" With Her 'X-Men' Costar Tye Sheridan and Joe Jonas Is Totally Okay With It," 30 Mar. 2019 Here are seven ways that your phone will benefit from the changes in Android Q. Your data will be more secureOne of the biggest advantages iPhone users lord over their Android-using friends is Apple’s commitment to privacy. — Michael Simon, PCWorld, "7 tweaks and changes in Android Q that will make your phone better than it is now," 13 Mar. 2019 But for one day, Livermore Lab allowed The Verge and other press access to the secure facility. — William Poor, The Verge, "America’s nuclear arsenal relies on this brand-new supercomputer," 20 Nov. 2018 Maryland Secretary of Juvenile Services Sam Abed said his staff sought April 17 to have the teen placed in a secure detention facility. — Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore judge closes courtroom to public to review juvenile record of teen charged with killing officer," 8 June 2018 The Defense Department is the only agency with limited authority to bring down drones at secure facilities. — Bloomberg, Fortune, "Small Consumer Drones Could Be Used by Terrorists to Conduct Attacks, Senator Warns," 6 June 2018 The Defense Department is the only agency with limited authority to bring down drones at secure facilities. — Alan Levin, Bloomberg.com, "Senators Back Plan for Disabling Terrorist Drones in Flight," 6 June 2018 Police said the suspect has been incarcerated in a secure juvenile detention facility pending the filing of formal charges. — Justin L. Mack, Indianapolis Star, "17-year-old dead, 16-year-old arrested after fight at Lebanon muffler shop," 4 June 2018 The cost: $120 at apple.com The good: The BeatsX is a comfortable, lightweight, water-resistant, neckband-style Bluetooth headphone with a secure in-ear fit and good sound quality. — Cnet.com, The Seattle Times, "The best wireless headphones for running," 23 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Charles’s four-day visit is not only important to the future monarch but also for Britain’s Foreign Office, as the U.K. works to secure its exit from the European Union. — Omid Scobie, Harper's BAZAAR, "Duchess Meghan "Comfortable and Content" as Baby Sussex Wait Continues," 3 May 2019 She and husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have been accused of paying $500,000 to secure admission to the University of Southern California for both daughters. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Lori Loughlin’s Daughter Isabella Giannulli Deleted Her Instagram Account Amid College Admissions Investigation," 18 Apr. 2019 More resources are needed to adjudicate asylum claims more rapidly, to secure people with pending claims in sustainable and humane ways, and to assist Central American countries in combating the underlying issues that drive people north. — Matthew Yglesias, Vox, "The shutdown is intractable because Trump’s wall is ridiculous and Republicans know it," 8 Jan. 2019 For Bournemouth, such a commitment of a large sum to secure Rico’s services may be worthwhile. — SI.com, "Bournemouth Switch Attention to Leganes Full Back as Cherries Baulk at Kieran Tierney Asking Price," 13 July 2018 From there, artists turned to a tight-knit music community to secure gigs at gritty bars and open-mic nights. — Billboard, "The Down Underdogs: Australian Alternative Artists on Making it Big in America and at Home," 13 July 2018 The beautiful ballad has already secured the twosome a Grammy Award, and that certainly makes them a favorite to win big at this year's ACMs. — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "Dan + Shay Explain the Real Meaning Behind 'Tequila'," 3 Apr. 2019 With the victory, Tiafoe also secured his place in the third round of competition. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "Here’s What You Need to Know About the 2019 Australian Open, Including How to Watch," 16 Jan. 2019 Still in the design stages, the ioCamper launched an Indiegogo campaign to secure funding for full-scale production. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Camper fits in a Sprinter and expands to four times its size," 18 Sep. 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

11 May 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