secret service

American  

noun

1. the branch of governmental service that conducts secret investigations, especially investigations into the military strength of other nations.

2. (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.

3. secret work for a government, especially espionage.

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secret service ¹ British  

noun

1. a government agency or department that conducts intelligence or counterintelligence operations

2. such operations

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Secret Service ² British  

noun

1. a US government agency responsible for the protection of the president, the suppression of counterfeiting, and certain other police activities

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Secret Service Cultural  

1. A division of the United States Department of the Treasury, responsible for apprehending counterfeiters; investigating a variety of federal crimes; and protecting presidents and their families, presidential candidates, and foreign dignitaries visiting the United States.

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Other Word Forms

• secret-service adjective

Etymology

Origin of secret service

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

Oil prices initially fell off their highs after The New York Times reported that Iran has reached out to the U.S. via secret service channels to signal it is ready to hold talks to end the conflict, citing U.S. officials.

From Barron's

The Islamic Republic has approached Washington via secret service channels to signal it is ready to hold talks to end the fighting, according to the New York Times, which cited officials briefed on the outreach.

From Barron's

Oil prices fell back after The New York Times reported that Iran has reached out to the U.S. via secret service channels to signal it is ready to hold talks to end the conflict, citing U.S. officials.

From Barron's

The letter said that project was aimed at assessing how the Secret Service identifies, receives, disseminates and operationalizes intelligence concerning threats to the officials it protects.

From The Wall Street Journal

There wasn’t such a thing as the Secret Service yet.

From Literature

Related Words

• secret police