Definition

1. Noun:
   • A federal department of the United States government: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly analogous to interior or home ministries in other countries. Its primary missions are to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce the vulnerability of the U.S. to terrorism, and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Department of Homeland Security was established in response to the September 11 attacks.
  • Customs and Border Protection is an agency under the Department of Homeland Security.
  • The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security testified before Congress.

Advanced Usage

• "DHS": A common initialism for the Department of Homeland Security.
  • DHS issued a new terrorism advisory bulletin.

Variants and Related Words

• Homeland Security (n): Often used as a shorter form to refer to the department or its overarching mission.
  • He works in the field of homeland security.

Synonyms

• DHS: The official abbreviation.
• Homeland Security: The shortened, commonly used name for the department.

Noun

1. the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security