secret service
noun
the branch of governmental service that conducts secret investigations, especially investigations into the military strength of other nations.
Jump To:
-
secret service
-
Secret Service
Secret Servicenouna US government agency responsible for the protection of the president, the suppression of counterfeiting, and certain other police activities
secret service
Americannoun
-
the branch of governmental service that conducts secret investigations, especially investigations into the military strength of other nations.
-
(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.
-
secret work for a government, especially espionage.
Secret Service
1
British
noun
secret service
2
British
noun
-
a government agency or department that conducts intelligence or counterintelligence operations
-
such operations
Secret Service
Cultural
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of secret service
First recorded in 1730–40
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Jäger is overseeing the BND’s transformation from a pure information-gathering and analysis outfit into a harder-hitting secret service with expanded powers, including the ability to strike back following cyberattacks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 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
At Chumley, they have professional security guards who wear earpieces and look like they just retired from the secret service.
From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
The BBC has contacted the Secret Service for comment.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Politico reported that one of its journalists had a credential confiscated by Secret Service.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026
The Secret Service refused to disclose their justification.
From Salon ● Sep. 22, 2026
The Secret Service now regularly hunts for skimmers across U.S. cities while educating merchants to spot them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
Congress did not assign presidential safety to the Secret Service until 1901.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
