security

noun

Save Word

se·cu·ri·ty | \ si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē

, -ˈkyər- \

plural securities

Definition of security

1 : the quality or state of being secure: such as

a : freedom from danger : safety

b : freedom from fear or anxiety

c : freedom from the prospect of being laid off job security

2a : something given, deposited, or pledged to make certain the fulfillment of an obligation

b : surety

3 : an instrument of investment in the form of a document (such as a stock certificate or bond) providing evidence of its ownership

4a : something that secures : protection

b(1) : measures taken to guard against espionage or sabotage, crime, attack, or escape

(2) : an organization or department whose task is security

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about security

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Examples of security in a Sentence

We must insure our national security. The college failed to provide adequate security on campus after dark. There was a lapse in security and the inmates escaped. We have to go through security at the airport. We called security when we found the door open. The meeting was held under tight security. The prisoner was being kept under maximum security. I like the security of knowing there will be someone there to help me when I need help. Growing up in a close family gave her a sense of security.

Recent Examples on the Web Local reports say a national-security unit has been set up in the Immigration Department to handle their cases. — The Economist, "In the party’s sights Jimmy Lai’s arrest is a blow to press freedom in Hong Kong," 15 Aug. 2020 Have people been reluctant to speak out after the national-security law was imposed? — Nr Interview, National Review, "Wanted by Beijing: An American Citizen Is Charged under Hong Kong National-Security Law," 12 Aug. 2020 McKenzie also underscored a frequent refrain that U.S. troop drawdowns have coincided with the strengthening of the Iraqi security forces, which are becoming capable of confronting ISIS on their own. — Abraham Mahshie, Washington Examiner, "Head of US Central Command warns ‘underlying conditions remain’ for revival of ISIS," 12 Aug. 2020 Anti-government protesters hurled rocks outside parliament, and security forces responded with tear gas. — Harold Maass, TheWeek, "10 things you need to know today: August 11, 2020," 11 Aug. 2020 The weekend protests saw clashes with security forces firing tear gas at protesters. — Bassem Mroue, USA TODAY, "Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab steps down in wake of Beirut explosion, protests: Corruption is 'bigger than the state'," 11 Aug. 2020 The weekend protests saw clashes with security forces firing tear gas at demonstrators. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Lebanese government resigns after Beirut explosion, public anger," 11 Aug. 2020 On Monday police arrested media tycoon Jimmy Lai under the new national-security law, and some 200 officers raided the newsroom of his pro-democracy Apple Daily. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Jimmy Lai Is Arrested in Hong Kong," 10 Aug. 2020 But with the national-security law in place, her words have at times appeared completely unmoored from the realties unfolding here. — Timothy Mclaughlin, The Atlantic, "Beijing’s Doublespeak in Hong Kong," 10 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'security.' 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

16 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Security.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/security. Accessed 22 Aug. 2020.

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More Definitions for security

security

noun

English Language Learners Definition of security

: the state of being protected or safe from harm

: things done to make people or places safe

: the area in a place (such as an airport) where people are checked to make sure they are not carrying weapons or other illegal materials

See the full definition for security in the English Language Learners Dictionary

security

noun

se·cu·ri·ty | \ si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē

plural securities

Kids Definition of security

1 : the state of being safe : safety national security

2 : freedom from worry or anxiety financial security

3 : something given as a pledge of payment He gave security for a loan.

4 : something (as a stock certificate) that is evidence of debt or ownership

security

noun

se·cu·ri·ty | \ si-ˈkyu̇r-ət-ē

plural securities

Medical Definition of security

: freedom from fear or anxiety need for security dates back into infancy— K. C. Garrison

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security

noun

se·cur·i·ty | \ si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē

plural securities

Legal Definition of security

1a : something (as a mortgage or collateral) that is provided to make certain the fulfillment of an obligation used his property as security for a loan

b : surety — see also security for costs

2 : evidence of indebtedness, ownership, or the right to ownership specifically : evidence of investment in a common enterprise (as a corporation or partnership) made with the expectation of deriving a profit solely from the efforts of others who acquire control over the funds invested a security involves some form of investment contract — see also due diligence

— asset-backed security

: a security (as a bond) that represents ownership in or is secured by a pool of assets (as loans or receivables) that have been securitized

— bearer security

: a security (as a bearer bond) that is not registered and is payable to anyone in possession of it

— certificated security \ sər-ˈti-fə-ˌkā-təd- \

: a security that belongs to or is divisible into a class or series of shares, participations, interests, or obligations, is a commonly recognized medium of investment, and is represented on an instrument payable to the bearer or a specified person or on an instrument registered on books by or on behalf of the issuer

— convertible security

: a security (as a share of preferred stock) that the owner has the right to convert into a share or obligation of another class or series (as common stock)

— debt security

: a security (as a bond) serving as evidence of the indebtedness of the issuer (as a government or corporation) to the owner

— equity security

: a security (as a share of stock) serving as evidence of an ownership interest in the issuer also : one convertible to or serving as evidence of a right to purchase, sell, or subscribe to such a security

— exempted security

: a security (as a government bond) exempt from particular requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (as those relating to registration on a security exchange)

— fixed-income security

: a security (as a bond) that provides a fixed rate of return on an investment (as because of a fixed interest rate or dividend)

— government security

: a security (as a Treasury bill) that is issued by a government, a government agency, or a corporation in which a government has a direct or indirect interest

— hybrid security

: a security with characteristics of both an equity security and a debt security

— mortgage-backed security

: a security that represents ownership in or is secured by a pool of mortgage obligations specifically : a pass-through security based on mortgage obligations

— pass-through security

: a security representing an ownership interest in a pool of debt obligations from which payments of interest and principal pass from the debtor through an intermediary (as a bank) to the investor especially : one based on a pool of mortgage obligations guaranteed by a federal government agency — compare collateralized mortgage obligation, remic

— registered security

1 : a security (as a registered bond) whose owner is registered on the books of the issuer

2 : a security that is to be offered for sale and for which a registration statement has been submitted

— restricted security

: a security accompanied by restrictions on its free transfer or registration of transfer

— shelf security

: a corporate security held for deferred issue in a shelf registration

— Treasury security

: a security issued by a government treasury : treasury sense 3

— uncertificated security \ ˌən-sər-ˈti-fə-ˌkā-təd- \

: a security that belongs to or is divisible into a class or series of shares, participations, interests, or obligations, that is a commonly recognized medium of investment, that is not represented by an instrument, and the transfer of which is registered on books by or on behalf of the issuer

— unregistered security

: a security for which a registration statement has not been filed

— when-issued security

: a security traded on a conditional basis prior to its issue

3a : measures taken to guard against espionage or sabotage, crime, attack, or escape

b : an organization or department whose task is security

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