security detail

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   a small group of trained people whose job is to protect someone important or a place.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a security detail' or 'security details'.

   Patterns

   • a security detail for someone
   • be accompanied by a security detail
   • have a security detail

   The president travels with a large security detail.

   The actress arrived with a security detail of four bodyguards.

   A security detail was posted outside the embassy.

2. 2noununcountable

   the work or assignment of guarding a particular person or place.

   Grammar: Uncountable: used without 'a' or a plural, e.g. 'on security detail'.

   Patterns

   • on security detail
   • assigned to security detail

   He was on security detail at the airport that day.

   Two officers were assigned to security detail for the event.

Word forms

Common combinations

a large security detail

The prime minister was surrounded by a large security detail.

a personal security detail

The CEO hired a personal security detail after receiving threats.

travel with a security detail

She always travels with a security detail.

a security detail outside

There was a security detail outside the hotel.

Synonyms and how they differ

bodyguard

A bodyguard is usually one person; a security detail is a group of people.

guard

A guard can be any person who protects a place or person; a security detail is a specific team assigned to protect someone.

Word family

security noun

the state of being safe or the measures taken to keep someone or something safe.

Commonly confused: security detail or security guard?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “security detail”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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