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

Presumably, Libra would be more widely accepted/available, more liquid, and possibly more secure. — Matthew De Silva, Quartz, "The winners and losers of Facebook’s Libra," 29 June 2019 And the products that come from the big tech companies are just inherently more secure. — CBS News, "Transcript: Chris Krebs talks with Michael Morell on "Intelligence Matters"," 26 June 2019 Two-factor authentication using text or email is less secure than other options. — Anna Washenko, Ars Technica, "Microsoft OneDrive gets a more secure Personal Vault, plus additional storage options," 25 June 2019 Arabi said Atlazo’s new chip could make these health tech devices more reliable and more secure. — Brittany Meiling, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Chip startup founded by ex-Qualcomm execs gets millions from San Diego angel investors," 13 June 2019 Noor had been held since his conviction in the most secure unit at the state’s maximum security prison in Oak Park Heights for his own safety, Corrections Department spokeswoman Sarah Fitzgerald said Thursday. — Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, "Mohamed Noor sentenced to 12½ years in prison; apologizes in court," 7 June 2019 After hearing the statements, in which Noor reportedly sat emotionless with his eyes closed, he was transferred to the most secure unit at Minnesota’s maximum-security prison in Oak Park Heights for his own safety, CBS News reports. — PEOPLE.com, "Minneapolis Police Officer Sentenced to 12 Years After Shooting Unarmed Australian Yoga Teacher," 7 June 2019 The metal ramp at the area was replaced with a concrete one, and the pier next to the ramp was fortified with more secure footing to the shore. — Jennifer Whidden, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "After $100,000 and a year of repairs, Waukesha County's School Section Lake is open again," 7 June 2019 Noor has been held since his conviction in the most secure unit at the state's maximum security prison in Oak Park Heights for his own safety, Corrections Department spokeswoman Sarah Fitzgerald said Thursday. — Steve Karnowski, Fox News, "Attorneys seek light sentence for cop who shot 911 caller," 7 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Investors queued to secure shares in the Ford Motor Company. — The Economist, "The rise and rise of private capital," 6 July 2019 The complex construction effort to secure the molten reactor's core and 200 tons of highly radioactive material has taken 9 years to complete under the auspices of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. — Fox News, "Chernobyl's $1.7B nuclear confinement shelter revealed after taking 9 years to complete," 4 July 2019 Nevertheless, their failure to secure Europa League football fell on the forwards' shoulders, as Izzo was part of a defence that conceded a mere 37 goals - only Juventus, Napoli and the Milan clubs boasted better defensive records. — SI.com, "5 Harry Maguire Equivalents From Around Europe Who Would Cost Far Less Than the Leicester Man," 3 July 2019 Those traits came into a play a couple times, driving past defenders, finishing in transition or bouncing off the hardwood to secure a rebound in traffic. — Chris Fedor, cleveland.com, "John Beilein gushes about Dylan Windler following Cleveland Cavaliers’ summer league debut: ‘He’s going to make everybody better’," 2 July 2019 The New York Police Department will deploy thousands of uniformed and plainclothes officers to secure New York City’s Fourth of July celebration, officials said Tuesday. — Ben Chapman, WSJ, "NYPD Preps for Independence Day Celebration," 2 July 2019 Hirose is a front-runner to secure a spot on next season’s team. — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, "Takeaways from Detroit Red Wings development camp: Swede-on-Swede fights," 30 June 2019 The publication of the draft report marks a key step in the state’s effort to secure a permit leading to construction, an official said. — Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "Federal agency issues key report before Alaska LNG project can be built," 29 June 2019 The idea was to secure the Gilberts as a stepping stone and base of operations to invade the Marshall Islands, then the Marianas, then the Japanese homeland itself. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Remains of 30 Service Members Killed in WWII Unearthed at Tarawa," 28 June 2019

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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Statistics for secure

Last Updated

6 Jul 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