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.
The espionage was part of a Chinese government policy to steal trade secrets from aviation companies, prosecutors said, and develop technology at American expense. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 At least six people had been executed up until last week on charges linked to espionage, such as smuggling equipment and aiding operations targeting major Iranian infrastructure, and 700 arrested, according to state media reports. Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025 Looming over Iran’s decision is the threat of Israeli espionage and air power, potentially catching Tehran in the act of rushing to produce a bomb. Dan De Luce, NBC news, 28 June 2025 Lake repeatedly described the agency as a national security risk, pointing to the case of Pavel Rubtsov, also known as Pablo González, a freelance cameraman who briefly worked for VOA and was later arrested in Poland on espionage charges. Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 June 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 10 Jul. 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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