National Security Terms

noun the practice of spying or using spies to obtain information about the plans and activities of a foreign government or organization

• The government launched an investigation into allegations of espionage by foreign agents.
• I heard that there was some espionage going on between rival companies.
• Don't mess with him, he's involved in some shady espionage stuff.
• In the world of politics, espionage is like a game of chess, with each move carefully calculated.

noun A set of political goals that seeks to outline how a particular country will interact with other countries in the world.

• The country's foreign policy aims to promote diplomatic relations with other nations.
• The government's foreign policy is all about dealing with other countries.
• When it comes to foreign policy, it's all about playing nice with the other kids on the global playground.
• In the game of international politics, foreign policy is like chess - strategic moves determine success.

noun a language or jargon specific to the Pentagon or the U.S. Department of Defense

• The linguist was able to decipher the complex language known as Pentagonese.
• I have no idea what they're saying in this Pentagonese briefing.
• Trying to understand Pentagonese is like trying to crack a secret code.
• Her explanation was so convoluted, it felt like she was speaking in Pentagonese.

noun a government agency responsible for the protection of a country's leaders and the investigation of espionage, sabotage, and other threats to national security

• The secret service is responsible for protecting the President of the United States.
• I heard the secret service is always on high alert.
• The secret service guys are like ninjas, always watching.
• In a way, our immune system can be seen as the body's secret service, protecting us from harmful invaders.

noun a safe or protected place

verb to make something safe or certain

adjective safe from harm or danger

adverb in a safe or protected manner

• It is important to secure your personal data to prevent identity theft.
• Make sure to secure your belongings before leaving the car.
• I'll make sure to secure some snacks for the movie.
• She held onto her dreams tightly, securing them in her heart.

noun the act of secretly obtaining information about another country or organization

verb to secretly collect information about another country or organization

• The government was accused of spying on its citizens without their consent.
• I heard that Sarah's ex-boyfriend has been spying on her social media accounts.
• I can't believe you're still spying on your crush, that's so creepy!
• The detective felt like he was spying on the suspect's every move, even though he was just observing from a distance.

noun a group of soldiers, especially a body of troops

• The commander deployed additional troops to the northern border.
• The troops are gearing up for a long night ahead.
• The troops are ready to kick some butt!
• His thoughts were like troops marching in perfect formation.

noun DEFCON is a noun that stands for Defense Readiness Condition, a measure of the readiness of the United States military.

• The DEFCON level was raised in response to the escalating tensions between the two countries.
• We better keep an eye on the news, DEFCON is getting pretty high.
• Things are getting real serious, we're at DEFCON 1 now.
• Her temper was at DEFCON 5 when she found out about the mistake.

noun a person who is engaged in or prepared for war

• The warfighter demonstrated exceptional skills on the battlefield.
• The warfighter really knows how to handle themselves in combat.
• That warfighter is a total badass.
• In the business world, she is considered a warfighter, always ready to tackle challenges head-on.

noun Department of Homeland Security

• The DHS is responsible for ensuring the security of the nation's borders.
• I heard that the DHS is cracking down on illegal immigration.
• The DHS is always on top of things when it comes to homeland security.
• The DHS is like a shield protecting our country from external threats.

noun a slang term for rumors and intelligence

adjective describing something related to rumors and intelligence

• The intelligence agency relies on RUMINT to gather information on potential threats.
• I heard through the RUMINT that there might be a new project coming up.
• Don't believe everything you hear through the RUMINT.
• RUMINT can sometimes be like a game of telephone, where information gets distorted along the way.

noun a period of time when a person is serving full-time in the military or other organization

adjective describing someone who is currently serving in the military or other organization on a full-time basis

• He was called to active duty and had to leave his civilian job to serve in the military.
• My brother is on active duty overseas and won't be able to make it home for the holidays.
• I can't hang out tonight, I'm on active duty at work until late.
• As a teacher, she is always on active duty, constantly looking out for her students' well-being.