se ‧ cu ‧ ri ‧ ty W1 AC /sɪˈkjʊərəti, sɪˈkjʊərɪti $ -ˈkjʊr-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ secure ; noun : ↑ security ≠ ↑ insecurity ; adverb : ↑ securely ≠ ↑ insecurely ; adjective : ↑ secure ≠ ↑ insecure ]
1 . PROTECTION FROM DANGER [uncountable] things that are done to keep a person, building, or country safe from danger or crime:
The trial was held under tight security.
lax security at airline check-in desks
terrorist activity that is a threat to national security
The prison was ordered to tighten security after a prisoner escaped yesterday.
The Security Commission investigates breaches of security.
We have been asked not to say anything for security reasons.
The security forces opened fire, killing two people.
The thief was caught on a security camera.
There are strict security checks on everyone entering the Opera House.
A large number of homes lack adequate security measures.
2 . PROTECTION FROM BAD SITUATIONS [uncountable] protection from bad things that could happen to you OPP insecurity :
Parenting is about giving your child security and love.
Workers want greater job security (=not being in danger of losing their jobs) .
This insurance plan offers your family financial security in the event of your death.
3 . GUARDS [uncountable] the department of a company or organization that deals with the protection of its buildings and equipment:
One of the sales clerks called security.
⇨ ↑ security guard
4 . BORROWING MONEY [uncountable] something such as property that you promise to give someone if you cannot pay back money you have borrowed from them
security for
Reiss used his Brooklyn home as security for the loan.
5 . securities [plural] ↑ stock s or ↑ share s in a company
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ tight/strict (=good security, so that something is very safe)
The event passed off peacefully, amid tight security.
▪ lax (=not good enough, so that something is not as safe as it should be)
The Prime Minister denied that border security had been lax.
▪ heightened security (=more than usual)
There is heightened security around Heathrow following the bomb threats.
▪ national/state security (=security of a country)
Did the article contain any information that is damaging to national security?
▪ personal security (=security of an individual person)
The department is responsible for the President’s personal security.
■ verbs
▪ improve/tighten security (=make it better)
Mexico has tightened security along its southern border.
■ security + NOUN
▪ the security services/forces (=the police, army etc)
Clashes with the security forces continued.
▪ security measures/arrangements
Residents have been warned to take extra security measures following a spate of burglaries.
▪ a security check
There are security checks at the entrance to the courtrooms.
▪ a security guard
There are armed security guards outside the palace.
▪ security staff
Teams of security staff guard the laboratory.
▪ a security camera
A car park security camera captured the attack.
▪ a security system (=a system of cameras, alarms etc to provide security)
The first stage would be to install security systems and adequate lighting in churches.
▪ a security risk
His presence in the area posed a significant security risk.
▪ for security reasons
He can’t be identified for security reasons.
■ phrases
▪ a breach of security (=when something happens that the security should have stopped)
There was a serious breach of security at the prison last Friday.