noun phrase · formal
national security
UK/ˌnæʃənəl sɪˈkjʊərɪti/US/ˌnæʃənəl sɪˈkjʊrɪti/NA·tion·al se·CU·ri·ty
the protection of a nation's citizens, territory, and institutions from external or internal threats
Examples
“The new law was justified on the grounds of national security.”
“Balancing privacy and national security is a major policy challenge.”
“Governments often increase surveillance measures citing national security.”
Band 8 sentence
“While measures to protect national security are sometimes necessary, they must be proportionate to avoid eroding civil liberties.”
Collocations
- threats to national security
- in the name of national security
Word family
Common mistakes
security national→national security
the national secureness→national security
Say it for a higher band
5national safety→6country security→7+national security
Synonyms
state security
Easily confused
state security
“State security agencies increased their presence at the border.”
Related words
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In Society & Government
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