national security

USAGE SUMMARY

"national security" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when referring to the security and safety of a nation, such as in the following example sentence: The government has taken an increasingly hard stance on national security in recent years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

policy & national security.

The New Yorker

REFLECTIONS about national security.

The New Yorker

National security journalists?

The Economist

— national security.

The Washington Post

"ECONOMIC collapse undermines national security".

The Economist

It's a national security imperative".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

(Nor his national-security advisers).

The New Yorker

story but also future national-security stories.

The New Yorker

What is our national-security strategy?

The New Yorker

Obama inherited a bloated national-security state.

The New Yorker

And future national-security crises are unpredictable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "national security" when referring to broad strategies and policies aimed at protecting a nation, rather than individual incidents.

Common error

Avoid using "national security" as a catch-all phrase. Instead, specify the particular aspect of security (e.g., cybersecurity, border security, economic security) to give your writing more precision and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "national security" functions primarily as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a widely accepted term, serving as the subject or object in sentences related to governance, defense, and international relations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

14%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "national security" is a grammatically sound and very common noun phrase that refers to the safety and defense of a nation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across diverse, but mostly formal contexts, including news, business, and academic settings. When writing about "national security", precision is key; avoid overuse without specifying the particular security aspects at stake. Related terms include "homeland defense" and "national defense", each with subtle differences in emphasis. Its usage underscores the importance of safeguarding a nation's interests, people, and institutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

security of the nation

A more descriptive alternative that highlights the safety and protection of the country.

national defense

Emphasizes military preparedness and protection from external threats.

defense of the country

Directly refers to the act of defending the nation from threats.

homeland defense

Focuses specifically on protecting the nation's territory from attack.

national survival

Emphasizes the continuation of the nation's existence in the face of existential threats.

state security

A broader term encompassing the protection of a nation's government and institutions.

security interests

Highlights the range of interests a nation seeks to protect.

national interests

Refers to a broader set of concerns including economic and diplomatic objectives.

protection of the realm

A more formal or archaic term, implying defense of the country and its people.

public safety

Focuses on the safety and well-being of the general population.

FAQs

How is "national security" typically defined?

Generally, "national security" refers to the safety and defense of a nation against threats to its people, economy, institutions, and territory. This can include military defense, cybersecurity, and protection against terrorism.

What are some common threats to "national security"?

Common threats include terrorism, cyberattacks, espionage, economic instability, and military aggression. These threats can originate from both state and non-state actors.

How does /s/economic+stability relate to "national security"?

Economic stability is often considered a component of "national security" because a strong economy is essential for funding defense, providing social welfare, and maintaining international influence.

What's the difference between "national security" and /s/homeland+security?

"National security" is a broader concept encompassing all aspects of a nation's safety, while "homeland security" typically refers to domestic efforts to protect a nation from threats such as terrorism and natural disasters.