security council: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Official, Diplomatic, Academic
Quick answer
What does “security council” mean?
A principal organ of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A principal organ of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
Any high-level governing or advisory body within an organization (governmental, corporate, or institutional) tasked with matters of safety, stability, and strategic protection. Often capitalized when referring specifically to the UN body.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and grammar rules (e.g., -ise/-ize) do not apply as it is a fixed proper noun.
Connotations
Identical connotations of authority, global governance, and sometimes bureaucratic delay or political gridlock.
Frequency
Equally frequent in geopolitical, news, and academic discourse in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “security council” in a Sentence
The Security Council + [verb: convened, voted, imposed, authorized, condemned][Subject] + [verb: referred to, addressed, lobbied] + the Security CouncilVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could refer to a corporate risk-management committee (e.g., 'The corporate security council meets quarterly').
Academic
Common in Political Science, International Relations, and Law, discussing global governance, international law, and conflict resolution.
Everyday
Used primarily in news contexts when discussing international conflicts, UN actions, or global politics.
Technical
Specific to UN procedures, international law (Chapter VII of UN Charter), and diplomatic protocol.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “security council”
- Using lowercase ('security council') when specifically referring to the UN body.
- Omitting 'the' (e.g., 'He addressed Security Council' instead of 'addressed the Security Council').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Fifteen. Five are permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the USA), and ten are non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
Yes, its decisions (resolutions) are legally binding on all UN member states under Article 25 of the UN Charter. Enforcement can include sanctions, peacekeeping operations, or authorising the use of force.
It is the power of any one of the five permanent members (P5) to block or defeat a substantive resolution, even if it has the support of the other 14 members.
It is always capitalised when referring specifically to the United Nations Security Council, as it is a proper noun. In a generic sense (e.g., a company's security council), it is not.
A principal organ of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
Security council is usually formal, official, diplomatic, academic in register.
Security council: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˈkjʊə.rə.ti ˈkaʊn.səl/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˈkjʊr.ə.t̬i ˈkaʊn.səl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A seat on the Security Council”
- “To have the ear of the Security Council”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SECURE' + 'COUNCIL'. A council that works to make the world secure.
Conceptual Metaphor
The world's police board / The global steering committee for safety.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the United Nations Security Council?