security screening
/sɪˈkjʊərəti ˈskriːnɪŋ/
Meaning
Security screening is the formal process at airports and other secure facilities where passengers and their baggage are inspected using metal detectors, X-ray machines, and physical searches. It is designed to prevent dangerous items from being brought onto aircraft. The term is highly formal and is commonly used in official airport guidelines, announcements, and travel itineraries.
Examples
-
All passengers must undergo security screening before entering the departure lounge.
All passengers must undergo security screening before entering the departure lounge.
-
To speed up the security screening, please remove your laptop from your bag.
To speed up the security screening, please remove your laptop from your bag.
-
The wait times at the security screening were much longer than usual this morning.
The wait times at the security screening were much longer than usual this morning.
-
Liquids over 100ml are not permitted through the airport security screening.
Liquids over 100ml are not permitted through the airport security screening.
-
He was selected for an additional security screening at the gate.
He was selected for an additional security screening at the gate.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ I had to pass the safety check to go to my gate.
✓ I had to go through security screening to get to my gate.
While safety check is understandable, security screening (or simply security) is the correct, standard term used at airports.
-
✗ The security screening took me a lot of time.
✓ Going through security screening took a long time.
Security screening is a process or location, so you go through it or undergo it rather than it taking you time directly as an active agent.
Related Expressions
Practice
-
Please have your boarding pass ready before you line up for ___.
💡 The formal process of checking passengers and bags for prohibited items.
Show answer
security screening
-
You must remove your shoes during the ___ process at most US airports.
💡 The inspection phase at airport security.
Show answer
security screening