espionage

es-pi-o-nage · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The practice of spying or using spies to obtain secret information, especially about governments or competing organizations.

  2. 2.

    The systematic gathering of intelligence through covert means.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    industrial espionage — spying to obtain trade secrets or proprietary information from competitors
  • •
    cyber espionage — using computer networks to gain illicit access to confidential information
  • •
    espionage charges — legal accusations related to spying activities

Related words

Antonyms: openness, transparency
See also: counterintelligence, intelligence, spy, surveillance
Synonyms: intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, spying, surveillance

Etymology

From French espionnage, from espionner ("to spy"), from espion ("spy"), from Old Italian spione, from spia ("spy"), of Germanic origin, related to Old High German spehon ("to spy").