intelligence agency

American  

noun

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

---

Other Word Forms

• intelligence agent noun

Etymology

Origin of intelligence agency

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

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

To help make the case on Iran, Graham traveled several times to Israel in recent weeks, meeting with members of the country’s intelligence agency.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

In the 1953 coup, America's CIA intelligence agency and Britain's MI6 conspired with Iranians to overthrow the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

As part of its role in ensuring Germany's "free democratic basic order", the domestic intelligence agency is responsible for both counter-intelligence and investigating terror threats.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

It was closely followed by a chase car with two agents from the DGSI, the French intelligence agency in charge of counterterrorism.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti