secret service

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.

secret service

¹

noun

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

2. such operations

Secret Service

²

noun

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

Secret Service

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.

Other Word Forms

• secret-service adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of secret service¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

US concerns became immediately clear: Wright USA was privy to the personal details of many of America's top secret service agents and intelligence officials.

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Stepping up to the LPGA, complete with a deep gallery of onlookers and a phalanx of Secret Service agents surrounding her, could have been daunting.

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I had followed UPI’s Helen Thomas and ABC’s Sam Donaldson to meet staffers when a member of the Secret Service walked through the door, telling us to leave because the president was walking over to talk to deputy press secretary Larry Speakes.

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I was sure it was the Secret Service kicking me out.

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The Secret Service does its job very well.

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Related Words

• secret police