security

Noun

1. The condition of not being threatened, especially physically, psychologically, emotionally, or financially.
   • Chad always carries a gun for his own security.
   • The pink blanket gives little Mary lots of security.
   • Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, / From firm security. - c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, &...
2. Something that secures.
3. An organization or department responsible for providing security by enforcing laws, rules, and regulations as well as maintaining order.
   • Pamela works in security.
   • […] Going through security I held her for so long / She finally looked at me in love and she was gone - 1977, Graham Nash, “Just a Song Before I Go”, in CSN, performed by Crosby, Stills & Nash:
   • The threat of terrorism to the British lies in the overreaction to it of British governments. Each one in turn clicks up the ratchet of surveillance, intrusion and security. Each one diminishes liberty. - 2012 December...
4. Something that secures the fulfillment of an obligation or law.
5. Freedom from apprehension.
6. A tradeable financial asset, such as a share of stock or any of various classes of bond.ᵂ
7. Proof of ownership of stocks, bonds or other investment instruments.
8. Property etc. temporarily relinquished to guarantee repayment of a loan.
   • Near-synonym: collateral

   Synonyms: collateral

9. A guarantee.
   • As to Perſons of Quality, they give Security to appropriate a certain Sum for each Child, ſuitable to their Condition; and theſe Funds are always managed with good Husbandry and the moſt exact Juſtice. - 1726 October...
   • Those who lent him money lent it on no security but his bare word. - 1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter XII, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I...
10. Carelessness; negligence.
    • He means, my lord, that we are too remiss, Whilst Bolingbroke, through our security, Grows strong and great in substance and in power. - 1595 December 9 (first known performance), William Shakespeare, “The Life and...