security check

Meaning

The process and physical area at an airport where passengers and their carry-on bags are scanned by security officers and machines to ensure no dangerous or prohibited items are taken onto the aircraft.

Examples

• We need to go through the security check before we can access the departure gates.

  We need to go through the security check before we can access the departure gates.

• Remember to take your laptop out of your bag at the security check.

  Remember to take your laptop out of your bag at the security check.

• The security check took forever because the airport was so crowded.

  The security check took forever because the airport was so crowded.

• You aren't allowed to bring large bottles of water through the security check.

  You aren't allowed to bring large bottles of water through the security check.

• I always get nervous at the security check even though I have nothing to hide.

  I always get nervous at the security check even though I have nothing to hide.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We must pass the security control.

  ✓ We must go through the security check.

  While 'passport control' is correct, the baggage scanning area is almost always referred to as the 'security check' or 'security checkpoint' in English.

• ✗ I lost my boarding pass during the security check.

  ✓ I lost my boarding pass at the security check.

  Use the preposition 'at' when referring to the physical location of the checkpoint where the event occurred.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Please take off your coat and belt before you go through the ___.

  💡 The place where they scan your hand luggage and check for metal items.

  Show answer

  security check

• Liquids over 100 milliliters are not allowed past the ___.

  💡 Starts with 's' and ends with 'c'.

  Show answer

  security check