sur·e·ty / ˈshoŏritē/ • n. (pl. -ties) a person who takes responsibility for another's performance of an undertaking, for example their appearing in court or the payment of a debt. ∎  money given to support an undertaking that someone will perform a duty, pay their debts, etc.; a guarantee: the judge granted bail with a surety of $500. ∎  the state of being sure or certain of something: I was enmeshed in the surety of my impending fatherhood.PHRASES: of (or for) a surety archaic for certain: who can tell that for a surety?DERIVATIVES: sur·e·ty·ship / -ˌship/ n.

SURETY

An individual who undertakes an obligation to pay a sum of money or to perform some duty or promise for another in the event that person fails to act.