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 In addition, the next film from Christopher Nolan and producing partner and wife Emma Thomas set for a release in July 2026 will use new Imax technology to shoot that top secret feature for Universal. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024 The documents, marked top secret, were first reported Saturday by CNN and Axios. Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2024 Who is invited to the Met Gala? Until the evening before the event, the guest list is top secret. Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024 The potential leak could be the sign of very serious security breach within the U.S. intelligence community that resulted in top secret classified information reaching a Telegram channel affiliated with Iran. Barak Ravid, Axios, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for top secret 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'top secret.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near top secret

Cite this Entry

“Top secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top%20secret. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!