Definitions for espionage
ˈɛs pi əˌnɑʒ, -nɪdʒ, ˌɛs pi əˈnɑʒes·pi·onage

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. espionagenoun

   the systematic use of spies to get military or political secrets

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. espionagenoun

   The act or process of learning secret information through clandestine means.

2. Etymology: Recorded since 1793, from espionnage, from espionner, from espion, itself probably from a source (akin to spehon "spy"), possibly via spione (from spia). More at spy

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Espionage

   Espionage, spying, or intelligence gathering is the act of obtaining secret or confidential information (intelligence). A person who commits espionage is called an espionage agent or spy. Any individual or spy ring (a cooperating group of spies), in the service of a government, company, criminal organization, or independent operation, can commit espionage. The practice is clandestine, as it is by definition unwelcome. In some circumstances, it may be a legal tool of law enforcement and in others, it may be illegal and punishable by law. Espionage is often part of an institutional effort by a government or commercial concern. However, the term tends to be associated with state spying on potential or actual enemies for military purposes. Spying involving corporations is known as industrial espionage. One way to gather data and information about a targeted organization is by infiltrating its ranks. Spies can then return information such as the size and strength of enemy forces. They can also find dissidents within the organization and influence them to provide further information or to defect. In times of crisis, spies steal technology and sabotage the enemy in various ways. Counterintelligence is the practice of thwarting enemy espionage and intelligence-gathering. Almost all sovereign states have strict laws concerning espionage, including those who practise espionage in other countries, and the penalties for being caught are often severe.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:4.7 / 3 votes

1. Espionagenoun

   the practice or employment of spies; the practice of watching the words and conduct of others, to make discoveries, as spies or secret emissaries; secret watching

2. Etymology: [F. espionnage, fr. espionner to spy, fr. espion spy, OF. espie. See Espy.]

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Espionage

   Espionage or spying involves a government or individual obtaining information considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, as it is taken for granted that it is unwelcome and, in many cases illegal and punishable by law. It is a subset of intelligence gathering, which otherwise may be conducted from public sources and using perfectly legal and ethical means. It is crucial to distinguish espionage from intelligence gathering, as the latter does not necessarily involve espionage, but often collates open-source information. Espionage is often part of an institutional effort by a government or commercial concern, however the term is generally associated with state spying on potential or actual enemies primarily for military purposes. Spying involving corporations is known as industrial espionage. One of the most effective ways to gather data and information about an enemy is by infiltrating the enemy's ranks. This is the job of the spy. Spies can bring back all sorts of information concerning the size and strength of an enemy army. They can also find dissidents within the enemy's forces and influence them to defect. In times of crisis, spies can also be used to steal technology and to sabotage the enemy in various ways. Counterintelligence operatives can feed false information to enemy spies, protecting important domestic secrets and preventing attempts at subversion. Nearly every country has very strict laws concerning espionage, and the penalty for being caught is often severe. However, the benefits that can be gained through espionage are generally great enough that most governments and many large corporations make use of it to varying degrees.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Espionage

   es′pi-on-āj, n. practice or employment of spies. [Fr.,—espionner—espion, a spy.]

Dictionary of Military and Associated TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. espionage

   The act of obtaining, delivering, transmitting, communicating, or receiving information about the national defense with an intent, or reason to believe, that the information may be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of any foreign nation. Espionage is a violation of 18 United States Code 792-798 and Article 106, Uniform Code of Military Justice. See also counterintelligence.

Matched Categories

1. • Spying

How to pronounce espionage?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say espionage in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of espionage in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of espionage in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of espionage in a Sentence

1. Attorney General Michael Lauber:

   We have an open investigation into political espionage in Switzerland.

2. President Obama:

   Russia trying to influence or elections dates back to the Soviet Union, what they did here, hacking some emails and releasing them, is not a particularly fancy brand of espionage or propaganda. We were, frankly, more concerned in the run-up to the election to the possibilities of vote tampering, which we did not see evidence of and were confident that we could guard against. In the same interview, President Obama took the Russian hacking idea even further by alleging that Donald Trump in any way has direct ties to Russia.

3. Vikram Thakur:

   Regin is the crown jewel of attack frameworks used for espionage. Its architecture, complexity and capability sits in a ballpark of its own, we have seen different components of Regin in the past few months.

4. Alexander Southwell:

   This is really a classic case or corporate espionage, this is an outgrowth of a desire to compete. When you are accessing somebody's computer system without authorization, that violates federal and possible state law. That goes beyond healthy competition.

5. Paul Whelan:

   Why was I left behind ? While I am pleased Trevor is home with his family, I have been held on a fictitious charge of espionage for 40 months, the world knows this charge was fabricated. Why hasn't more been done to secure my release ?

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