secure Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb get by special effort
    procure.
    • He procured extra cigarettes even though they were rationed
  2. verb cause to be firmly attached
    fasten; fix.
    • fasten the lock onto the door
    • she fixed her gaze on the man
  3. verb assure payment of
  4. verb make certain of
    insure; assure; ensure; guarantee.
    • This nest egg will ensure a nice retirement for us
    • Preparation will guarantee success!
  5. verb fill or close tightly with or as if with a plug
    plug; stop up.
    • plug the hole
    • stop up the leak
  6. verb furnish with battens
    batten; batten down.
    • batten ships
  7. adjective free from fear or doubt; easy in mind
    unafraid; untroubled.
    • he was secure that nothing will be held against him
  8. adjective free from danger or risk
    • secure from harm
    • his fortune was secure
    • made a secure place for himself in his field
  9. adjective not likely to fail or give way
    • the lock was secure
    • a secure foundation
    • a secure hold on her wrist
  10. adjective satellite immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
    unattackable; unassailable; impregnable; inviolable; strong.
    • an impregnable fortress
    • fortifications that made the frontier inviolable
    • a secure telephone connection
  11. adjective satellite financially sound
    safe; good; dependable.
    • a good investment
    • a secure investment

WordNet

Se*cure" adjective
Etymology
L. securus; pref. se- without + cura care. See Cure care, and cf. Sure, a.
Definitions
  1. Free from fear, care, or anxiety; easy in mind; not feeling suspicion or distrust; confident.
    But thou, secure of soul, unbent with woes. DRyden.
  2. Overconfident; incautious; careless; -- in a bad sense. Macaulay.
  3. Confident in opinion; not entertaining, or not having reason to entertain, doubt; certain; sure; -- commonly with of; as, secure of a welcome.
    Confidence then bore thee on, secure Either to meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial. Milton.
  4. Net exposed to danger; safe; -- applied to persons and things, and followed by against or from. "Secure from fortune's blows." Dryden. Syn. -- Safe; undisturbed; easy; sure; certain; assured; confident; careless; heedless; inattentive.
Se*cure" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Secured ; present participle & verbal noun Securing
Definitions
  1. To make safe; to relieve from apprehensions of, or exposure to, danger; to guard; to protect.
    I spread a cloud before the victor's sight, Sustained the vanquished, and secured his flight. Dryden.
  2. To put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving; to make certain; to assure; to insure; -- frequently with against or from, rarely with of; as, to secure a creditor against loss; to secure a debt by a mortgage.
    It secures its possessor of eternal happiness. T. Dick.
  3. To make fast; to close or confine effectually; to render incapable of getting loose or escaping; as, to secure a prisoner; to secure a door, or the hatches of a ship.
  4. To get possession of; to make one's self secure of; to acquire certainly; as, to secure an estate.

Webster 1913