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• secret service
  secret service

  noun

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

  noun

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

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 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 ² British  

noun

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

2. such operations

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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

See Examples For:

secret service Secret Service

"Anything we released to the American public will also be known by the Russian secret service, Chinese government, and adversaries," Appel pointed out.

From BBC ● May 30, 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 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

If she squinted, she could almost pretend they were secret service and she was the president.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Attorney’s Office, and the Secret Service, and say ‘No, I’m doing what I want,’” Griffin offered, then so can everyone else.

From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026

A Secret Service agent gave Oxford a polygraph test.

From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026

The Secret Service has erected a security ring of steel around the site of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026

But the most grueling step came when Secret Service agents called the suspected victims.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Franklin and Deane sometimes sent Bancroft on missions to London, not knowing that this gave the double agent a chance to report in person to the head of the British Secret Service.

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen

Related Words

• secret police