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 government agency or department that conducts intelligence or counterintelligence operations

2. such operations

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Secret Service ² 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 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

The Islamic Republic has approached Washington via secret service channels to signal it is ready to hold talks to end the fighting, according to the New York Times, which cited officials briefed on the outreach.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 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

In fact, he was directing an organization that functioned very like a secret service, which not many years before had been part of the security and intelligence services of the Crown.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• secret police