espionage

noun

es·​pi·​o·​nage ˈe-spē-ə-ˌnäzh How to pronounce espionage (audio) -ˌnäj How to pronounce espionage (audio)
-nij,
 Canadian also  -ˌnazh;
ˌe-spē-ə-ˈnäzh;
i-ˈspē-ə-nij
: 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 in a Sentence

He was charged with several counts of espionage. the acts of espionage on behalf of the Confederacy carried on by Belle Boyd and Rose Greenhow
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jurors convicted Lee of espionage, nonetheless, and a judge gave him a life term. Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 Though there’s no explicit mention of the Cold War, there’s plenty of espionage and intrigue. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2025 The enchanting espionage comedy flaunts an excellent Benicio del Toro as a 1950s industrialist, who, after surviving an attempt on his life, names his estranged daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) as heir to his empire. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025 Every few years, Tom Cruise leads a new chapter in the life of globetrotter Ethan Hunt and his team of agents, who aren’t afraid of missions deemed too difficult for traditional means of espionage. Will Harris, EW.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for espionage

Word History

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

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of espionage was in 1793

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Espionage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/espionage. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

espionage

noun
es·​pi·​o·​nage ˈes-pē-ə-ˌnäzh How to pronounce espionage (audio) -näj How to pronounce espionage (audio)
-ˌnij
: the practice of spying : the use of spies

Legal Definition

espionage

noun
es·​pi·​o·​nage ˈes-pē-ə-ˌnäzh, -ˌnäj, -nij How to pronounce espionage (audio)
: the practice of gathering, transmitting, or losing through gross negligence information relating to the defense of the U.S. with the intent that or with reason to believe that the information will be used to the injury of the U.S. or the advantage of a foreign nation

More from Merriam-Webster on espionage

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