intelligence agency

American  

noun

1. a government department charged with obtaining intelligence, or information, especially for use by the armed forces.

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Other Word Forms

• intelligence agent
  noun

Etymology

Origin of intelligence agency

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The reports said this was due to outdated target coordinates supplied by a US intelligence agency.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Ramagem, 53, is a former police officer who commanded Brazil's main intelligence agency, ABIN, under Bolsonaro.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Iranian-linked networks have long used Germany for fundraising, including collections from Shia-owned businesses, officials from the police and domestic intelligence agency BfV said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Last month, Lebanese authorities charged four people with kidnapping Ahmad Shukr -- whose brother Hassan is suspected of involvement in Arad's capture -- on behalf of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

Years later, records released by the KGB, the Soviet intelligence agency, indicated he was right.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady