security

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "security" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used in the context of protecting people, places, and/or things from harm. For example, "The security guards at the airport monitored the passengers for any suspicious activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There will be some circumstances in which it's right for public bodies, for example at the border, at airport security, to say there is a practical necessity for asking somebody to remove a veil.

The Guardian

Jonathan was due to fly to Paris on Friday for a summit hosted by François Hollande, the French president, to discuss the security threat posed by Boko Haram.

The Guardian

The MPs and peers suggested that the new legislation should list every intrusive capability available to the security services and specify their purpose, authorisation procedure and what safeguards and oversight procedures exist for their use.

The Guardian

"The state of Palestine should be based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps and with security guarantees for itself and Israel.

The Guardian

Security alerts involving improvised explosive devices have become almost a weekly occurence in Derry during the past few months as dissident republicans step up their armed actions in the city.

The Guardian

The UN motion was passed on Tuesday night, with the support of the US, but a number of security council members condemned Russia's stance.

The Guardian

The legislation will include not only the expected snooper's charter, enabling the tracking of everyone's web and social media use, but also moves to strengthen the security services' warranted powers for the bulk interception of the content of communications.

The Guardian

The extended scope of the bill may follow some of the recommendations of the intelligence and security committee (ISC), which suggested in March that the entire existing surveillance legal framework should be replaced by a single new act of parliament.

The Guardian

Human Rights Watch has documented 75 cases of torture in security force custody since the end of the war, including the rape of men and women.

The Guardian - Opinion

The repeated refusal of GPs, social housing officers and social security staff to act as immigration officers also means that if more robust residence tests are to be introduced for other EU nationals then an easy and authoritative way is needed of checking how long they have been in the country and what their immigration status is.

The Guardian

Relationships with Iraqis were much more distant, and Americans much more isolated, owing to security restrictions and other factors.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "security", be specific about what is being protected (e.g., data, personal safety, financial assets) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "security" as a catch-all term without specifying the type of security. For instance, instead of saying "improve security", specify "enhance data security" or "improve building security".

Linguistic Context

The word "security" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the state of being free from danger or threat, or the measures taken to ensure this state. Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse contexts, highlighting its core function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "security" is a versatile noun widely used across various contexts to denote safety, protection, and the measures implemented to ensure it. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common usage. While "security" is generally correct, clarity can be improved by specifying what type of security is being discussed. Related terms include "safety", "protection", and "assurance", each carrying slightly different nuances. The term's frequent appearance in news, business, and scientific sources underscores its importance and relevance in contemporary discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

safety

Focuses on the state of being protected from harm or danger.

protection

Emphasizes the act of defending or shielding from harm.

assurance

Highlights the guarantee or certainty of safety and well-being.

safeguarding

Implies taking measures to protect something or someone.

defense

Focuses on the action of resisting attack or harm.

risk management

Emphasizes the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling threats.

prevention

Highlights the act of stopping something from happening.

guardianship

Focuses on the act of protecting or taking care of someone or something.

cybersecurity

Specifically refers to the protection of computer systems and networks.

national security

Refers to the protection of a nation's borders, people, and interests.

FAQs

How can I use "security" in a sentence?

You can use "security" to refer to the state of being free from danger or threat, as in, "The company invested in advanced security systems." Or, you can use it to refer to measures taken to ensure safety, as in, "Airport security was tightened after the incident."

What are some alternatives to the word "security"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "safety", "protection", or "assurance" to convey similar meanings.

Is it correct to use "security" as a countable noun?

Yes, "security" can be used as a countable noun, especially when referring to specific types of security or security measures. For example, "The building has multiple layers of security."

What is the difference between "security" and "privacy"?

"Security" refers to the state of being protected from harm or unauthorized access, while "privacy" refers to the right to keep personal information and affairs confidential. While related, they address different aspects of protection and control.