What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Police vs Security - What's the difference?

police | security |

As nouns the difference between police and security

is that police is policy (contract of insurance) while security is (uncountable) the condition of not being threatened, especially physically, psychologically, emotionally, or financially.

police

English

Noun

(-)
  • A civil force granted the legal authority for law enforcement and maintain public order.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
  • , chapter=18 citation , passage=‘Then the father has a great fight with his terrible conscience,’ said Munday with granite seriousness. ‘Should he make a row with the police […]? Or should he say nothing about it and condone brutality for fear of appearing in the newspapers?}}
  • * {{quote-book, 2006, David Simon, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, page=440 citation
  • , passage=This time it is the worst kind of call a murder police can get.}}
  • (obsolete) Policy.
  • (obsolete) Communal living; civilization.
  • * 2002 , , The Greta Nation , Penguin 2003, p. 218:
  • The notion of ‘police ’ – that is, rational administration – was seen as a historical force which could bring civilized improvement to societies.

    Synonyms

    * the cobblers, the fuzz, pigs]], , bobbies, peelers, woodentops (qualifier), [[6-up, the law

    Derived terms

    * chief of police * police box * police brutality * police captain * police car * police chief * police commissioner * police constable * police department * police detective * police dog * police force * police headquarters * police jury * police lieutenant * policeman * police officer * police precinct * police protection * police record * police sergeant * police service * police squad * police state * police station * police van * police wagon * policewoman

    Verb

    (polic)
  • To enforce the law and keep order among (a group).
  • * {{quote-news, year=2012, date=May 24, author=Nathan Rabin, work=The Onion AV Club
  • , title= Film: Reviews: Men In Black 3 , passage=Smith returns in Men In Black 3 as a veteran agent of a secret organization dedicated to policing the earth’s many extraterrestrials. }}
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-08-10, volume=408, issue=8848, magazine=(The Economist), author=Schumpeter
  • , title= Cronies and capitols , passage=Policing the relationship between government and business in a free society is difficult. Businesspeople have every right to lobby governments, and civil servants to take jobs in the private sector. Governments have to find the best people to fill important jobs: there is a limited supply of people who understand the financial system, for example.}}
  • To patrol an area.
  • * 2006 , , Hundred-Dollar Baby , Putnam, ISBN 0399153764, page 275,
  • "Fire off several rounds in a residential building and stop to police the brass?"
    1000 English basic words ----

    security

    Alternative forms

    * secuerity (mostly obsolete)

    Noun

  • (uncountable) The condition of not being threatened, especially physically, psychologically, emotionally, or financially.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, / From firm security .
  • * Jonathan Swift
  • Some alleged that we should have no security for our trade.
  • (countable) Something that secures.
  • An organization or department responsible for providing security by enforcing laws, rules, and regulations as well as maintaining order.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-12-14, author=Simon Jenkins, authorlink=Simon Jenkins
  • , volume=188, issue=2, page=23, date=2012-12-21, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= We mustn't overreact to North Korea boys' toys , passage=The threat of terrorism to the British lies in the overreaction to it of British governments. Each one in turn clicks up the ratchet of surveillance, intrusion and security . Each one diminishes liberty.}}
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-08, volume=407, issue=8839, page=52, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= The new masters and commanders , passage=From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away.}}
  • (legal) Something that secures the fulfillment of an obligation or law.
  • (legal) Freedom from apprehension.
  • (finance) Proof of ownership of stocks, bonds or other investment instruments.
  • (finance) Property etc. temporarily relinquished to guarantee repayment of a loan.
  • A guarantee.
  • * Macaulay
  • Those who lent him money lent it on no security but his bare word.
  • (obsolete) Carelessness; negligence.
  • * Shakespeare
  • He means, my lord, that we are too remiss, / Whilst Bolingbroke, through our security , / Grows strong and great in substance and in power.

    Synonyms

    * (condition of not being threatened) safety * (something that secures) protection * (something that secures the fulfillment of an obligation) guarantee, surety * See also

    Antonyms

    * insecurity (condition of being threatened )

    Derived terms

    * asset-backed security * computer security * information security * security blanket * Security Council * security by design * security hole * security procedure * security theater * security through obscurity * social security