the branch of governmental service that conducts secret investigations, especially investigations into the military strength of other nations.
(initial capital letters) the branch of the U.S. Department of the Treasury charged chiefly with the discovery and apprehension of counterfeiters and with providing protection for the president and the president's immediate family.
secret work for a government, especially espionage.
a government agency or department that conducts intelligence or counterintelligence operations
such operations
First recorded in 1730–40
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For decades, the Cuban secret service, trained during the Soviet era by the KGB, enjoyed a reputation for invincibility.
From Barron's ● Jan. 10, 2026
“As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I’m grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 5, 2026
On Thursday, Evans entertained a guest with secret service stature.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2025
George Smiley is a British secret service agent who appears in many of le Carré's books.
From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2025
Some wore headsets, but others sat in the audience with earpieces like the undercover secret service.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
He praised the Secret Service officers and law enforcement personnel who responded that night, calling the attack “an assault on our democracy itself” and declaring that “we do not yield to political violence.”
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026
The association honored Secret Service agent Victor Gonzalez, who was shot in his protective vest while confronting the gunman, along with Washington Hilton employees who helped guests during the attack.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026
The head of the Secret Service said it was ready for the rescheduled dinner, despite facing criticism over the original incident.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
Heads of state visiting the U.S. are under protection of the Secret Service.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
A group of friends and family had gathered there to greet us, only now, due to Secret Service protocol, they were cordoned off behind a rope.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
