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

But the Secret Service took one look at downtown, which was filled with boarded-up buildings, and balked.

From The Wall Street Journal

Secret Service while working as a graduate assistant for the Hurricanes, he has said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The conservative media personality and former Secret Service agent has served in the role for just nine months.

From Salon

He had no prior FBI experience, having previously been a Secret Service agent and a New York police officer.

From Salon

Secret Service official, who said that the White House didn’t appear to be a target.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• secret police