secure

1 of 2

adjective

se·​cure si-ˈkyu̇r 

-ˈkyər

securer; securest

1

a

: free from danger

b

: affording safety

a secure hideaway

c

: trustworthy, dependable

a secure foundation

d

: free from risk of loss

2

a

: easy in mind : confident

b

: assured in opinion or expectation : having no doubt

c

archaic : unwisely free from fear or distrust : overconfident

3

: assured sense 1

a secure victory

4

: able to reliably afford or access what is needed to meet one's basic needs

However, students who are housing secure may also differ in their consciousness development as compared to students who have experienced housing insecurity.

—Mariah Kornbluh et al.

securely adverb

secureness noun

see also food secure

secure

2 of 2

verb

secured; securing

transitive verb

1

a

: to relieve from exposure to danger : act to make safe against adverse contingencies

secure a supply line from enemy raids

b

: to put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving : guarantee

secure the blessings of liberty

—U.S. Constitution

c

: to give pledge of payment to (a creditor) or of (an obligation)

secure a note by a pledge of collateral

2

a

: to make fast

secure a door

secure a bike to a tree

b

: to take (a person) into custody : hold fast : pinion

3

a

: to get secure usually lasting possession or control of

secure a job

b

: bring about, effect

4

: to release (naval personnel) from work or duty

intransitive verb

1

of naval personnel : to stop work : go off duty

2

of a ship : to tie up : berth

securer noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• assured
• confident
• self-asserting
• self-assured
• self-confident

Verb

• bulwark
• cover
• defend
• fence
• fend
• forfend
• guard
• keep
• protect
• safeguard
• screen
• shield
• ward

Choose the Right Synonym for secure

ensure, insure, assure, secure mean to make a thing or person sure.

ensure, insure, and assure are interchangeable in many contexts where they indicate the making certain or inevitable of an outcome, but ensure may imply a virtual guarantee

the government has ensured the safety of the refugees

, while insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand

careful planning should insure the success of the party

, and assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

I assure you that no harm will be done

secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

sent reinforcements to secure their position

Examples of secure in a Sentence

Adjective

We need to make our network more secure against attacks by hackers.

The children were safe and secure in their beds.

A safe is provided to keep your valuables secure from potential thieves.

You should store your valuables in a secure place.

How secure is your front door?

You are now entering a secure area.

I'm feeling secure about my place in the company.

The company has established a secure foothold in the market.

He believes his job is secure.

They didn't begin to celebrate until they knew their victory was secure.

Verb

We must secure the country's borders.

Secure your belongings under the seat.

secure a child safety seat

The seat is secured to the base by three screws.

She scored a goal to secure the team's victory.

She secured the zoo's future with a handsome bequest.

He secured a loan using his house as collateral.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

They’re crafted with two webbed Velcro straps, one across the front of the foot and one around the ankle, and each is adjustable to ensure a secure fit. —Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

Rounding out a nice list of features are four elastic bands that ensure a secure fit, and the brand’s Guardin botanical antimicrobial treatment that inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. —Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2024

His compulsive checking to confirm that his house is secure and his food is safe to eat slowly erodes his relationship with his wife, Nicole (Harshman). —Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024

Crypto transactions are also famous for being secure and private. —Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024

As many as 90 members of the Royal Life Guards, an army unit, have been deployed to cordon off the area surrounding the building, as well as secure valuables, the military has said. —Armani Syed, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024

The company uses the older and less secure IPSec for its MacOS and iOS apps. —PCMAG, 15 Apr. 2024

Creating a clamp with the perfect look, angle, and a secure fit is another matter, but those with solid 3D printing skills can fill that gap as well. —Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2024

Across the country, 26 states have enacted secure storage laws, according to the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety. —The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

Verb

With Might Delete Later, J. Cole secures his seventh No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. —Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024

Nguyen's bill hasn't progressed since securing a majority caucus vote Feb. 20. —The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024

The measure was an attempt to placate hard-liners who have demanded that the speaker not advance aid to Ukraine without securing sweeping concessions from Democrats on immigration policy. —Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024

Instead, a select group of fortunate graduates are securing the equivalent of six-figure salaries straight out of college. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024

In addition to casting Pitt, the production had secured a $20 million tax subsidy from the state of California. —Pat Saperstein, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024

The Falcons will host Keller Central on Friday and a win will secure a berth, but TC can still make it with a loss to the Chargers. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024

Her championship mentality not only secures her place in sports history but also cements her legacy of greatness that extends far beyond the realm of sports. —Tom Brady, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024

Finding and developing material for major Hollywood movies, securing talent to tell the stories, and shepherding the creative process is a highly collaborative endeavor that Denise Di Novi is spectacularly familiar with. —Robin Keats, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin securus safe, secure, from se without + cura care — more at suicide

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1545, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing secure

• be secure in the belief/knowledge
• financially secure
• food secure
• safe/secure in the knowledge

Kids Definition

secure

1 of 2 adjective

se·​cure si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r 

securer; securest

1

: easy in mind : confident

secure in the knowledge that help was near

2

a

: providing safety : safe

a secure hideaway

is secure against attack

b

: trustworthy, dependable

secure foundation

3

: sure entry 1 sense 5a, certain

victory is secure

securely adverb

secure

2 of 2 verb

secured; securing

1

a

: to make safe : guard, shield

secure a supply line from enemy raids

b

: to assure payment of

2

a

: to take into custody

secure a prisoner

b

: to fasten tightly

secure a door

3

: to acquire as the result of effort

secure employment

Etymology

Adjective

from Latin securus "safe, secure," literally, "without care," from se "without" and cura "care" — related to cure, sure see Word History at cure

Legal Definition

secure

transitive verb

se·​cure

secured; securing

1

: to put beyond hazard of losing or not receiving

secure the blessings of liberty

—U.S. Constitution preamble

2

a

: to protect or make certain (as by lien)

make a just and equitable partition and secure the parties' respective interests

—Denton v. Lazenby, 879 P.2d 607 (1994)

b

: to give security for (as a loan) or otherwise assure the payment, performance, or execution of with security

the court imposed a lien on his property to secure the judgment

c

: to give or pledge security to (as a creditor)

broadly : to cause to have security or a security interest

a creditor secured by a lien on real property