trade secret

noun

: something (such as a formula) which has economic value to a business because it is not generally known or easily discoverable by observation and for which efforts have been made to maintain secrecy

Examples of trade secret in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ruling, which rejected allegations that the former CAA employees stole trade secrets, the source says, undermines some of the central claims in the agency’s case. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026

Stalcup sued Richards for misappropriation of trade secrets and business disparagement. —Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 6 Jan. 2026

Those might include policies intended to protect your employer’s confidential information, trade secrets or intellectual property – and relatedly, its cybersecurity and privacy policies. —Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025

This was a major point of contention in West Lafayette, where residents' questions weren't answered due to the information being considered trade secrets — very common in economic development deals. —Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

trade secret

noun

trade se·​cret

: a formula, process, device, or item of information used by a business that has economic value because it is not generally known or easily discovered by observation or examination and for which reasonable efforts to maintain secrecy have been made

Note: Trade secrets are a form of intellectual property. Many states have enacted laws which create an action for damages or injunctive relief against misappropriation of trade secrets by improper means. Information contained in a patent is not protected as a trade secret.