espionage

es·pi·o·nage

noun
\ˈes-pē-ə-ˌnäzh, -ˌnäj, -nij, Canada also -ˌnazh; ˌes-pē-ə-ˈnäzh; is-ˈpē-ə-nij\

Definition of ESPIONAGE

: the practice of spying or using spies to obtain information about the plans and activities especially of a foreign government or a competing company <industrial espionage>

Examples of ESPIONAGE

1. He was charged with several counts of espionage.
2. <the acts of espionage on behalf of the Confederacy carried on by Belle Boyd and Rose Greenhow>

Origin of ESPIONAGE

French espionnage, from Middle French, from espionner to spy, from espion spy, from Old Italian spione, from spia, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German spehōn to spy — more at spy

First Known Use: 1793

Related to ESPIONAGE

Synonyms: spying

Related Words: counterespionage, counterintelligence, intelligence; cloak-and-dagger; tradecraft; observation, reconnaissance, surveillance; bugging, eavesdropping, wiretapping; dope, goods, lowdown

[+]more[-]hide

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism