ESPIONAGE Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

espionage

[ es-pee-uh-nahzh, -nij, es-pee-uh-nahzh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act or practice of spying.
the use of spies by a government to discover the military and political secrets of other nations.
the use of spies by a corporation or the like to acquire the plans, technical knowledge, etc., of a competitor:
industrial espionage.

espionage

/ ˌɛspɪəˈnɑːʒ; ˈɛspɪəˌnɑːʒ; ˈɛspɪənɪdʒ /

noun

the systematic use of spies to obtain secret information, esp by governments to discover military or political secrets
the act or practice of spying

Discover More

Other 51�Թ� Forms

�Դǲ�·��p��·��·�Բ�� noun

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of espionage¹

First recorded in 1785–95; from French espionnage, Middle French espionage, from espionn(er) “to spy” (derivative of espion “a spy,” from Italian spione, from Germanic ) + -age -age; espy

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of espionage¹

C18: from French espionnage, from espionner to spy, from espion spy, from Old Italian spione, of Germanic origin; compare German ��ä�� to spy

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The five-member team, nicknamed "the plumbers," was created by the Nixon White House to conduct espionage against perceived foes.

From

The sheer delight of playing within that theatrical arena, just like when I was James Bond doing “The Tailor of Panama,” another film in the world of espionage.

From

Charged with passing secrets for $65,000 in cash and gold, Miller became the first FBI agent to be tried for espionage.

From

As political rhetoric escalated and tensions between the two countries spiralled, not least of all in the South China Sea, the young mayor found herself in the crosshairs of espionage accusations.

From

The cell's targets included journalists who have investigated Russian espionage.

From

Related 51�Թ�s

intelligence

espial Espírito Santo

Browse