# secured

/sɪkˈjʊɹd/ (US) · /sɪkjˈɔːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/secured
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to obtain or win

verb · CEFR B2

to succeed in getting something, especially after a lot of effort.

For teachers: to succeed in obtaining or achieving something, often through negotiation or competition.

- The team secured a victory in the final minutes of the game.
- After months of intense negotiations, the company secured a multi-million dollar contract that guaranteed work for the next decade.

Usage: Often used in business or sports contexts to describe achieving a difficult goal.

### 2. to make safe

verb · CEFR B2

to protect a place so that no one can enter or leave without permission.

For teachers: to make a place or object safe from attack, intrusion, or escape.

- The police secured the building before allowing the investigators inside.
- The military forces secured the perimeter of the airport to ensure that humanitarian aid could be delivered without interference.

### 3. fastened or fixed

adjective · CEFR B1

fixed firmly in place so that it cannot move or fall.

For teachers: firmly fixed or attached in a way that prevents movement or instability.

- Check that your seatbelt is secured before the car starts moving.
- The heavy equipment was secured to the deck of the ship with steel cables to prevent it from shifting during the storm.

### 4. protected by a loan

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

describing a loan where the lender can take your property if you do not pay.

For teachers: relating to a loan or debt in which the lender has a claim on specific assets if the borrower defaults.

- A mortgage is a type of secured loan used to buy a house.
- The bank offered a lower interest rate on the secured debt because the borrower provided their property as collateral.

## Examples

- She secured a new job after three interviews.
- The climbers secured their ropes to the rock face before starting the steep descent.
- By negotiating a long-term contract with the primary supplier, the firm secured its production line against the volatility of the global raw materials market.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.