# security

/sɪkˈjʊɹəti/ (US) · /sɪkjˈɔːɹɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/security
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. safety and protection

noun · CEFR B1

the state of being safe from danger, harm, or crime.

For teachers: the state of being free from danger or threat, especially regarding physical, national, or digital safety.

- The hotel has high security to make sure all the guests feel safe.
- National security remains a top priority for the government as they implement new protocols to protect digital infrastructure from cyberattacks.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general state of being safe.

### 2. guards or measures

noun · CEFR B1

the people or systems that protect a place, like a building or airport.

For teachers: the activities, personnel, or equipment involved in protecting a person, building, or organization.

- Security stopped him at the gate because he didn't have his ID card.
- Airport security has become significantly more stringent over the last decade, requiring passengers to undergo multiple layers of screening.

Usage: Can be used as a collective noun for the department or staff.

### 3. financial collateral

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

something valuable you give to a bank to prove you will pay back a loan.

For teachers: an asset or property provided as a guarantee for the fulfilment of an obligation, such as a loan repayment.

- He used his house as security for the business loan.
- The lender required additional security before approving the mortgage, as the borrower's credit history was considered insufficient.

Usage: Often takes the preposition 'for'.

Teaching tip: In everyday English, 'collateral' is a common synonym in banking contexts.

### 4. investment asset

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a financial product that can be bought and sold, like a stock or a bond.

For teachers: a tradeable financial asset, such as a share, bond, or option.

- The company is planning to issue new securities to raise money for the project.
- The regulatory body oversees the trading of government securities to ensure market stability and protect individual investors.

Usage: Commonly used in the plural form 'securities'.

Teaching tip: This is a very specific professional sense; learners will mostly encounter it in business news or banking.

### 5. feeling of confidence

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of being happy and safe, without worrying about the future.

For teachers: the state of being free from anxiety or apprehension; emotional or psychological stability.

- Having a permanent job gives her a sense of financial security.
- Children need a stable home environment to develop a lasting sense of emotional security and self-confidence.

Usage: Often used in phrases like 'job security' or 'emotional security'.

## Examples

- The airport has very tight security.
- The building manager hired extra security to monitor the entrance during the busy holiday weekend.
- National security often involves a delicate balance between protecting the public from external threats and maintaining the individual privacy of citizens.

---

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.