KGB

American  

Or K.G.B.

1. the intelligence and internal-security agency of the former Soviet Union, organized in 1954 and responsible for enforcement of security regulations, protection of political leaders, the guarding of borders, and clandestine operations abroad.

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KGB British  

abbreviation

1. the former Soviet secret police, founded in 1954 Compare GRU

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KGB Cultural  

1. The secret police of the former Soviet Union.

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Etymology

Origin of KGB

< Russian, for K ( omitét ) g ( osudárstvennoĭ ) b ( ezopásnosti ) Committee for State Security

Example Sentences

Twila charges in headfirst without concern for the consequences, whether it’s setting a bar on fire to escape the notice of KGB or brazenly approaching Russian sources.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

Two embassy wives, played by Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson, embrace their Person of No Interest status to take on the KGB as spies in Peacock’s sparky, soulful series.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

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 a former KGB officer, Russian President Vladimir Putin goes to great lengths to maintain secrecy about his movements, residence details or workspaces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

It was much too dangerous: The KGB kept all foreigners in the Soviet Union under close surveillance.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau