top secret

adjective

1
: protected by a high degree of secrecy
a top secret weapon
a top secret meeting
2
a
: containing or being information whose unauthorized disclosure could result in exceptionally grave danger to the nation
top secret messages
compare confidential, secret
b
: of or relating to top secret documents
a top secret clearance

Examples of top secret in a Sentence

The mission is top secret.
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.
But there's a fascinating set of new patches Chinese officials released for a series of launches with top secret satellites over the last two months. ArsTechnica, 17 May 2025 But that assumes that there aren't all kinds of top secret systems installed. A Martínez, NPR, 14 May 2025 Her cases include: CIA Analyst Indictment In mid-January, Asif Rahman, a former CIA analyst, pleaded guilty to retaining and transmitting top secret national defense information to people who were not entitled to receive it, before the information then appeared on social media. Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025 The Met Gala’s guest list is arguably one of the most exclusive in entertainment and also the most heavily guarded; the specifics of who will be in attendance are kept top secret until the event night. Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for top secret

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of top secret was in 1942

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Top secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top%20secret. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

top secret

adjective
1
: protected by a high degree of secrecy
a top secret meeting
2
: containing information that is very important to the safety and defense of a nation
top secret messages

More from Merriam-Webster on top secret

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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