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Glite Dictionary
public security

public security

2 3.8
Authorities protect people in public places to stop crime and disorder
  • noun
  • Formal
translation icon : seguridad pública
  • Due to concerns with public security, many squares are now subject to heightened forms of enclosure.
  • public security missions
  • public security forces
  • public security agencies

Examples

  • After recent events, citizens are demanding better public security measures to protect their neighborhoods.

  • Alongside the institutions formally responsible for public security, three alternative forms of action arise: militarization, informalization, and privatization.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The rise of crime and violence certainly impacts one's sense of personal, as well as public, security.

    Academic text (1993)

  • A variety of factors account for the weakened condition of formal public security institutions in Latin America.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The security measures became less visible, and there was an impression suggesting that a vacuum emerged in public security throughout the process.

    Academic text (2017)

  • Appreciation for social diversity is mixed with concern over public security and wariness of potential danger.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Governors also appoint the state secretary of public security, who oversees and manages police activities.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Yet new challenges had arisen to undermine citizen and public security.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Agreement over the jurisdictions of military and law enforcement agencies involved in public security missions is another area of potential interagency conflict.

    Academic text (2006)

  • The local government increased patrols to improve public security in the city parks during the summer.

Synonyms

security
vspublic security
∞ 2.5

Things or people that keep homes and buildings safe from crime and danger

focuses on a public condition maintained by authorities rather than on protective tools
peace
vspublic security
  • Formal
199 1.0

A calm, safe state in public places kept by law

is about authority actions to prevent disorder rather than just calm atmosphere
public safety
vspublic security
54 2.5

Protection for people from crime and danger in public places

is focused on authority action to protect people in shared spaces
community safety
vspublic security
1 2.8

People living in a place do not face crime or danger

is about authority action to protect people in shared spaces beyond local groups

How Secure

order
505 1.5
public security
  • Formal
2 3.8
disorder
  • Literature
50 4.1

Surface Forms

public security singular
public securities plural

Morphology

public + security

The sense 'protection and safety for the general public' is directly compositional from 'public' (for everyone) + 'security' (protective measures), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the meaning. The phrase is a standard adjective+noun combination used in many languages and contexts (though formal), so its meaning is transparent rather than idiomatic or metaphorical.

Etymology

Public security paints a simple picture: police or guards watching streets and parks to keep people safe. The word public means 'for everyone' and security means 'safety', so together the phrase means protecting people in public places to 'prevent crime'.