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.
a government agency or department that conducts intelligence or counterintelligence operations
such operations
First recorded in 1730–40
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
The Ospreys carry support staff, special forces and secret service agents, who are tasked with dealing with any mid-flight emergency.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2025
If she squinted, she could almost pretend they were secret service and she was the president.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
The association honored Secret Service agent Victor Gonzalez, who was shot in his protective vest while confronting the gunman, along with Washington Hilton employees who helped guests during the attack.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026
Trump, the first lady and administration officials were swept away by the Secret Service.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
The head of the Secret Service said it was ready for the rescheduled dinner, despite facing criticism over the original incident.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
Vance and his family are required to have round-the-clock Secret Service protection.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
At four fifteen in the morning on May 9, Egil Krogh was at his desk in the Secret Service command post across the street from the White House.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
