secure
adjective
-ˈkyər\
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
verbDefinition of secure (Entry 2 of 2)
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
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Synonyms & Antonyms for secure
Synonyms: Adjective
calculable, dependable, good, reliable, responsible, safe, solid, steady, sure, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustable, trustworthy, trusty
Synonyms: Verb
acquire, attain, bag, bring in, capture, carry, come by, draw, earn, gain, garner, get, knock down, land, make, obtain, procure, pull down, realize, reap, win
Antonyms: Adjective
dodgy [chiefly British], uncertain, undependable, unreliable, unsafe, untrustworthy
Antonyms: Verb
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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
Sign up for our daily newsletter and never miss our latest and greatest stories Security The only way to be truly secure on Facebook is to delete your account. — Issie Lapowsky, WIRED, "UK Regulators May Fine Facebook Over Cambridge Analytica," 10 July 2018 Pruitt has blamed subordinates for a series of controversial spending decisions, including first-class travel and the installation of a secure phone booth in his office at a cost of $43,000. — Justin Sink, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Says Pruitt Not ‘Blameless’ But Doing a ‘Great Job’ at EPA," 8 June 2018 Pruitt has blamed subordinates for a series of controversial spending decisions, including first-class travel and the installation of a secure phone booth in his office at a cost of $43,000. — Fortune, "EPA Head Scott Pruitt Is Not 'Blameless,' But He's Doing a 'Great Job,' Trump Says," 8 June 2018 No one is expecting a revolution; the long dominance by Republicans is almost certainly secure. — Kirk Johnson, The New York Times, idahostatesman, "As Idaho grows, its politics evolve. But don't expect a Democratic surge. | Idaho Statesman," 14 May 2018 On Monday, the Government Accountability Office concluded that the administrator had violated federal spending laws by installing a secure phone booth in his office that cost taxpayers roughly $43,000. — Juliet Eilperin, chicagotribune.com, "Embattled EPA Chief Scott Pruitt upgraded to a larger, customized SUV with bullet-resistant seat covers," 17 Apr. 2018 Immediately take the pages to a secure, nonflammable area like a concrete patio, your driveway, fireplace, or barbecue and set them on fire. — Habib Sadeghi, Health.com, "Do This for 12 Minutes a Day to Release Negative Emotions," 21 June 2018 Alaska's election system, with its paper ballots and layers of protections, is secure, and residents are better off focusing on other threats to their democratic institutions, said Bill Vajda, the state's chief information officer. — Nathaniel Herz, Anchorage Daily News, "Hackers broke partway into Alaska’s election system in 2016. Officials say no damage was done.," 8 May 2018 Hawkins appears set to reclaim his starting job, but much like the quarterback position, running back is secure with depth and experience. — Matt Murschel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Buffalo is No. 52 in 2018 preseason college football rankings," 5 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Winning unified support for his efforts to secure a site to build a stadium for his still-unnamed Major League Soccer franchise has been a much tougher proposition for the international soccer icon. — Craig Davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "David Beckham, Jorge Mas encounter opposition in latest bid for Miami MLS stadium," 13 July 2018 Was that enough for Harrison to secure the 15th and final spot on the Suns’ roster? — Scott Bordow, azcentral, "Phoenix Suns' summer-league takeaways: Deandre Ayton's progress, efforts of Davon Reed, Shaq Harrison," 13 July 2018 Since then, Kensington Church has been working with Mission of Hope to secure flights for its mission teams. — Deasia Paige, Detroit Free Press, "Stranded Troy Kensington Church mission members back from Haiti," 11 July 2018 Midazolam maker Alvogen of New Jersey filed a lawsuit in Nevada state court accusing Nevada of illegally securing midazolam for unapproved purposes. — Ken Ritter And Michelle L. Price, Time, "Nevada Delays Its First Execution in 12 Years After a Drug Company Objects," 12 July 2018 McCray was accused in an NCAA investigation of securing and paying for a discounted hotel room for a Louisville player's father. — Danielle Lerner, The Courier-Journal, "Three reasons Louisville players are unlikely to win lawsuit vs. NCAA," 11 July 2018 But officials plan to make up the difference by securing advertisements from businesses that would then be displayed on the new scoreboards, said Superintendent Brian Harris. — Todd Shields, chicagotribune.com, "Barrington High School to replace stadium scoreboard with larger, high-definition screen," 10 July 2018 Even if the initiative qualifies for the ballot, Yes! for a Better San Diego will need to mount a strong campaign in hopes of securing two-thirds majority approval of city voters, the normal minimum required to raise taxes. — Lori Weisberg, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Will convention center initiative qualify for ballot? Signatures are turned in," 9 July 2018 In 2015, the airline averted a pilots strike days before Easter weekend by securing a temporary restraining order from a Las Vegas court. — Ron Hurtibise, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Allegiant Air pilots authorize strike over 'sham' work scheduling system," 9 July 2018These 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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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
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of secure (Entry 2 of 2)
: 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
\
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
verbKids 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 verbLegal 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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