espionage

noun

es·​pi·​o·​nage ˈe-spē-ə-ˌnäzh  -ˌnäj 

-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

Synonyms

• spying

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

American adversaries surely see an espionage and blackmail bonanza. —James Goldgeier, Foreign Affairs, 7 Feb. 2025

Trump’s mission must return to the original promise of true American greatness through the unapologetic rejection of digital espionage on the American people. —Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025

Rogers is charged with conspiracy to commit economic espionage which carries a maximum jail term of 15 years and a fine of up to $5 million. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025

Trump has complained that Chinese ports near the canal may be used for espionage or in military operations against the U.S., and that the independent Panama Canal Authorities are overcharging U.S. ships using the waterway. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

espionage

noun

es·​pi·​o·​nage ˈes-pē-ə-ˌnäzh  -näj 

-ˌnij

: the practice of spying : the use of spies

Legal Definition

espionage

noun

es·​pi·​o·​nage ˈes-pē-ə-ˌnäzh, -ˌnäj, -nij 

: 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