segurar

Segurar is a verb used in Spanish and Portuguese with senses centered on holding, securing, and keeping something in place. Etymology traces to seguro, meaning safe or secure, with the -ar suffix forming the infinitive; cognate forms exist across Romance languages.

In Spanish, segurar describes physical actions such as holding or gripping an object firmly to prevent movement (por ejemplo, segurar la puerta, segurar una cuerda) and to fasten or secure items (segurar un cinturón, segurar la carga). It can also mean to restrain or keep under control (segurar la subida de un objeto, segurar una situación). In some dialects, segurar(se) de is used to express the idea of making sure, though the normative verb for that sense is asegurar or asegurarse de.

In Portuguese, segurar shares similar meanings: to hold, grip, or support (segurar a carga, segurar a porta), and to restrain or contain (segurar a respiração, segurar a ansiedade). It can also appear in contexts of securing a deal or protecting against risk, though for insurance the noun seguro is more common and the verb to insure is often expressed with segurar against risk or with other verbs.

Usage notes: regional variations exist, and reflexive or periphrastic forms may occur. In Spanish, asegúrate de is typically preferred for “to make sure,” with asegurar as the standard equivalent of the reflexive sense. In general, segurar remains a versatile term in both languages, closely related to sostener, agarrar, and sujetar.