Phrase guide

security theater

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Security measures which are intended to, or do, provide a feeling or illusion of improved security, while doing little or nothing to actually improve security.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Coined by American computer scientist Bruce Schneier in 2003.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: sikkerhedsteater — measures which provide a sense of security without providing security
  • French: comédie sécuritaire — measures which provide a sense of security without providing security
  • German: Sicherheitstheater — measures which provide a sense of security without providing security