securities

securities — noun

1. Having no risk of harm, injury, or attack — a situation where people and propert

1.nounB1
Definition

Having no risk of harm, injury, or attack — a situation where people and property are protected.

Example

After the earthquake, the family moved to a safer area for their security.

for + possessive + security — expressing purpose

The security of the building was improved with stronger locks and cameras.

Synonyms
  • safety

    more direct and common in everyday speech; security suggests a broader state of being protected

  • protection

    focuses on the actions or measures taken, rather than the resulting state

Antonyms
  • danger

    the opposite of being safe from harm

  • peril

    a more formal antonym suggesting serious threat

Grammar Patterns

the security of + noun

for + possessive + security

Usage Note

Note: the headword of this entry is 'securities' (the plural form), which is the standard dictionary listing. Senses 1 through 6 use the singular uncountable form 'security' (e.g., 'the security of the building'). Only sense 7 (STOCKS & BONDS) naturally takes the plural form 'securities'.

2. A feeling of being safe from worry, fear, or emotional upset.

2.nounB1
Definition

A feeling of being safe from worry, fear, or emotional upset.

Example

Takuya felt a deep sense of security knowing his family was safe at home.

sense of security — common idiom-like collocation

Children who grow up with love and support develop a strong feeling of security.

Synonyms
  • reassurance

    more specific — comfort given to remove someone's doubts or fears

  • peace of mind

    idiomatic phrase that overlaps in meaning but sounds more casual

Antonyms
  • anxiety

    the feeling of worry that emotional security removes

  • insecurity

    the direct opposite — lack of confidence or certainty

Grammar Patterns

a sense of security

Usage Note

Frequently appears in the fixed phrase 'a sense of security', which describes a subjective feeling rather than an objective safe condition.

Common Mistakes

The loud noise took away my security.
The loud noise destroyed my sense of security.
For emotional safety, include 'sense of' before 'security'.

3. The state of having a reliable income or enough money to meet your basic needs a

3.nounB2
Definition

The state of having a reliable income or enough money to meet your basic needs and plan for the future without worry.

Example

Amina saves ten percent of her salary each month to build financial security for retirement.

financial security — common compound noun

Job security was the main reason Hassan stayed at the same company for fifteen years.

Synonyms
  • financial stability

    very close in meaning; stability emphasizes steadiness rather than the absence of worry

  • economic security

    slightly more formal and broader, often used in policy discussions

Antonyms
  • financial insecurity

    the direct opposite — worrying about money

  • poverty

    a more extreme opposite involving the inability to meet basic needs

Grammar Patterns

financial security

job security

social security

Usage Note

Frequently paired with nouns like 'job', 'social', and 'financial' to form common compound terms. 'Social security' is a specific government program in many countries.

Common Mistakes

I need to find a job with good security.' (vague).
I need a job with good job security.
Specify the type of security; 'security' alone could mean physical safety at work.

4. Valuable property or assets that a borrower promises to give to a lender if a lo

4.nounB2
Definition

Valuable property or assets that a borrower promises to give to a lender if a loan is not repaid.

Example

The bank accepted the apartment as security for the business loan.

as security for — standard preposition pattern

Priyanka offered her car as security when she applied for a bank loan.

Synonyms
  • collateral

    the more formal and precise legal/finance term for pledged assets

  • guarantee

    broader — can refer to a promise or document, not necessarily physical property

Grammar Patterns

as security for + noun phrase

Usage Note

Always uncountable in this sense — no article before 'security' when used with 'as'. Follows the pattern 'as security for [a loan/debt]'.

Common Mistakes

I gave my car as a security for the loan.
I gave my car as security for the loan.
'Security' in this sense is uncountable; drop the article 'a'.

5. Actions, equipment, or systems designed to protect a place or event from crime,

5.nounB1
Definition

Actions, equipment, or systems designed to protect a place or event from crime, attack, or unauthorized entry.

Example

Airport security requires all passengers to remove their shoes for inspection.

airport security — common compound noun

The school tightened security after a stranger was seen near the playground.

Synonyms
  • safeguards

    more specific — refers to individual measures or procedures

  • protection

    broader — can include insurance, physical barriers, or legal measures

Antonyms
  • vulnerability

    the state of being exposed to danger that security is meant to prevent

Grammar Patterns

security + noun (compound)

for security reasons

Usage Note

Common in compound nouns such as 'security check', 'security camera', and 'security guard'. Usually uncountable when referring to protective measures in general.

Common Mistakes

The security in the airport is very long.
The security line at the airport is very long.
'Security' itself is not a queue; use 'security line' or 'security check'.

6. A group of people employed to protect a building, event, or person from harm or

6.nounB1
Definition

A group of people employed to protect a building, event, or person from harm or crime.

Example

The security at the concert asked everyone to open their bags before entering.

Ingrid called security when she noticed a man trying to open a locked door.

call security — no article, institutional use

Synonyms
  • security guards

    refers specifically to the individual people, not the team as an institution

  • security personnel

    more formal term for the staff employed in security roles

Grammar Patterns

call security

security + verb

Usage Note

Used without an article when referring to the team as an institution: 'call security', 'contact security'. When referring to individual members, use 'security guard(s)'.

Common Mistakes

I called the security when I saw the thief.
I called security when I saw the thief.
Drop 'the' when 'security' means the department or team.

7. A certificate showing that someone owns shares in a company or has lent money to

7.nounB2
Definition

A certificate showing that someone owns shares in a company or has lent money to a government or business; this certificate can be bought and sold.

Example

The investment firm helps clients buy and sell securities on the stock market.

buy and sell securities — core verb collocation

Government securities are generally considered a very safe type of investment.

government securities — common noun modifier

Common collocations
  • trade securities
  • securities market
  • securities trading
  • securities fraud
  • securities and exchange commission
Synonyms
  • stocks

    narrower — refers only to shares in companies, not bonds

  • bonds

    narrower — refers only to debt instruments, not equity

  • financial instruments

    broader and more formal umbrella term

Grammar Patterns

buy/sell/trade securities

government/corporate securities

issue securities

Usage Note

The plural form 'securities' is standard for this financial meaning. The singular 'a security' is used when referring to one specific document or holding. Do not confuse with 'security' in other senses (safety, protection).

Common Mistakes

I bought some security from the stock market.
I bought some securities from the stock market.
When referring to stocks and bonds, always use the plural 'securities'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words relate to being free from harm, but they differ in scope and emphasis. 'Safety' (B1) is the most everyday word — it describes a concrete condition where no physical harm is likely: 'The safety of the children is our first concern.' 'Protection' (B1) focuses on the actions or measures taken to defend someone or something: 'Wearing a mask offers protection against the virus.' 'Security' (B1) is broader — it combines physical safety with a systemic sense of being guarded against threats, often through organized measures: 'The building's security includes cameras, guards, and alarm systems.' Unlike 'safety', which is usually immediate and physical, 'security' can also refer to organized preventive systems. Unlike 'protection', which emphasizes the active defense, 'security' emphasizes the resulting state of being safe from harm or danger.

safety ↗protection ↗security ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • security guard
  • security camera
  • security system
  • security check
  • security measure
  • security risk
  • security breach
  • security forces
  • security blanket
  • security deposit

Adverbs

  • tight security
  • maximum security
  • extra security
  • round-the-clock security
  • national security

Phrases

  • sense of security
  • security of tenure
  • security of employment
  • on grounds of security

Prepositions

  • for security
  • in security
  • as security for
  • with security

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'security' comes from Latin 'securitas', meaning 'freedom from care', which was formed from 'securus' ('secure, safe'). 'Securus' itself breaks down into 'se-' ('without') and 'cura' ('care, worry'). The word entered English through Old French 'securite' in the 15th century. The financial meaning — referring to documents that prove ownership of stocks or bonds — emerged in the mid-19th century as investment markets grew. The plural form 'securities' became the standard term for tradable financial instruments as a category.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1