Main Entry:

es·pi·o·nage

Pronunciation:

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

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

1793

: 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>