surety

noun

sure·​ty ˈshu̇r(-ə)-tē How to pronounce surety (audio)
ˈshər-
plural sureties
1
: the state of being sure: such as
a
: sure knowledge : certainty
b
: confidence in manner or behavior : assurance
2
a
: a formal engagement (such as a pledge) given for the fulfillment of an undertaking : guarantee
b
: a basis of confidence or security
3
: one who has become legally liable for the debt, default, or failure in duty of another
suretyship noun

Examples of surety in a Sentence

As sureties, they will be liable in his place. gave his surety that he would pay back the loan if his sister was unable to for any reason
Recent Examples on the Web Jeenah Moon/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images Fan also briefly knocked many of the claims Trump made, noting that they're not required to find just one underwriter to provide the entire bond, but instead can combine multiple sureties for the full total. Graham Kates, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2024 Sexton requested the judge set bond at $50,000 cash or corporate surety for Sutton. Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 16 June 2023 Media organizations had sought the names of the three people who signed on as sureties for Santos’s $500,000 bond. Anthony Lin, Bloomberg.com, 6 June 2023 The effect was to de- and re- contextualize the clichés of femininity and masculinity; to challenge any entrenched sense of surety about what is fancy, what is professional, what is kitschy, what is tough, what is fragile. Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2023 However, when oil companies fail, the surety companies also risk going bankrupt, according to Michael Salman, a UCLA professor emeritus in history who has closely followed oil issues. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023 He was released on $5,000 surety bail and ordered to submit to monitoring for alcohol. Amanda Milkovits, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2023 Now, most defendants are expected to pay cash bail before they are released, and a surety – a person who vouchers for the defendant and promises to supervise them – is generally not required. Megan T. Stevenson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2023 The accused will continue to be detained until the court approves their sureties. Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 2 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surety.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English seurte, from Anglo-French seurté, from Latin securitat-, securitas security, from securus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of surety was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near surety

Cite this Entry

“Surety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surety. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

surety

noun
sure·​ty ˈshu̇r-ət-ē How to pronounce surety (audio)
ˈshu̇(ə)rt-ē
plural sureties
1
: sure knowledge : certainty
2
: a formal agreement to do something : guarantee
3
: one who takes legal responsibility for another's debt or failure in duty

Legal Definition

surety

noun
sure·​ty ˈshu̇r-ə-tē How to pronounce surety (audio)
plural sureties
1
: a formal engagement (as a pledge) given for the fulfillment of an undertaking
2
: one (as an accommodation party) who promises to answer for the debt or default of another

Note: At common law a surety is distinguished from a guarantor by being immediately liable as opposed to becoming liable only upon default of the principal. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, however, a surety includes a guarantor, and the two terms are generally interchangeable.

Etymology

Anglo-French seurté, literally, guarantee, security, from Old French, from Latin securitat- securitas, from securus secure

More from Merriam-Webster on surety

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