security guard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral formal
Quick answer
What does “security guard” mean?
A person employed to protect a building, its assets, and its occupants from dangers such as theft, vandalism, or unauthorised access.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person employed to protect a building, its assets, and its occupants from dangers such as theft, vandalism, or unauthorised access.
A professional responsible for maintaining safety and security in a specific area, often through patrols, monitoring surveillance equipment, and access control.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical and standard in both varieties. 'Security officer' is a slightly more formal alternative equally used in both regions.
Connotations
Neutral professional connotation in both. In informal UK speech, 'security' can be used alone ('I'll call security'). In US, 'rent-a-cop' is a derogatory informal term.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties, with no significant difference.
Grammar
How to Use “security guard” in a Sentence
security guard at [location]security guard for [company/organisation]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “security guard” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The premises are security guarded 24 hours a day.
- They decided to security-guard the event.
American English
- The facility is security guarded around the clock.
- We need to security-guard the perimeter.
adverb
British English
- He watched security-guardly over the exhibit.
- They patrolled the area security-guard style.
American English
- He acted security-guardly, questioning everyone.
- The team worked security-guard fast to secure the scene.
adjective
British English
- He had a security-guard mentality, always checking doors.
- It was a security-guard operation.
American English
- She took a security-guard approach to managing the data.
- The security-guard protocols were strictly followed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The contract requires a security guard to be present on-site overnight.
Academic
The study examined the psychological stressors faced by private security guards.
Everyday
The security guard helped me find my lost keys in the shopping centre.
Technical
All access points must be monitored by a licensed security guard during non-operational hours.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “security guard”
- He works as security guard. (Missing article: 'a security guard')
- Security guards of the bank (Better: 'at the bank' or 'for the bank').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A police officer is a sworn public law enforcement official with broad powers of arrest. A security guard is privately employed, with authority limited to the property they are hired to protect and often focused on observation and reporting.
Yes, in casual conversation, especially when referring to the department or calling for help (e.g., 'Call security!'). However, for the job title, 'security guard' or 'security officer' is more precise.
While common, especially in public-facing roles, it is not universal. Some work in 'plain clothes' for discreet surveillance or executive protection.
Yes, but 'watchman' is an older, less formal term and can imply a more passive, observational role, often at night. 'Security guard' is the modern, standard term.
A person employed to protect a building, its assets, and its occupants from dangers such as theft, vandalism, or unauthorised access.
Security guard is usually neutral formal in register.
Security guard: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˈkjʊər.ə.ti ɡɑːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˈkjʊr.ə.t̬i ɡɑːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on guard”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The GUARD's job is to GUARD the SECURITY of a place.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A HUMAN SHIELD.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST likely primary duty of a security guard?