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trade secret

noun

Definition of trade secret

: something (such as a formula) which has economic value to a business because it is not generally known or easily discoverable by observation and for which efforts have been made to maintain secrecy

Examples of trade secret in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Current agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler had sought the consultation on the handling of trade secrets and personally identifiable information in April. — Sean Reilly, Science | AAAS, "EPA’s controversial ‘secret science’ plan still lacks key details, advisers say," 28 Aug. 2019 Former Waymo and Uber self-driving car engineer Anthony Levandowski—regarded by many as a father of the fledgling autonomous vehicle industry—was indicted Tuesday on 33 federal charges of theft and attempted theft of trade secrets. — Aarian Marshall, WIRED, "Ex-Uber Engineer Levandowski Charged With Trade-Secret Theft," 27 Aug. 2019 Levandowski is charged with 33 counts of theft and attempted theft of trade secrets. — Nico Savidge, The Mercury News, "Ex-Waymo engineer who went to Uber faces criminal charges," 27 Aug. 2019 The indictment filed Tuesday by the U.S. Attorney's office in San Jose, California, charges Anthony Levandowski, 39, with 33 counts of theft and attempted theft of trade secrets. — CBS News, "Ex-Google engineer charged with stealing trade secrets for driverless cars," 27 Aug. 2019 Levandowski faces 33 counts of theft and attempted theft of trade secrets. — Fox News, "Ex-Google engineer charged with stealing self-driving car technology," 27 Aug. 2019 Washington accuses China of using predatory tactics - including outright theft of U.S. trade secrets - in an aggressive drive to turn itself into a world leader in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and electric cars. — Paul Wiseman, Washington Post, "Trump raises tariffs on Chinese goods as trade war escalates," 24 Aug. 2019 Washington accuses China of using predatory tactics – including outright theft of U.S. trade secrets – in an aggressive drive to turn itself into a world leader in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and electric cars. — Joe Mcdonald, Twin Cities, "Trump raises tariffs on Chinese goods as trade war escalates," 23 Aug. 2019 But Uber data is still marked as a trade secret, and public record requests must be run through Uber’s legal team. — Aarian Marshall, WIRED, "Transit Agencies Turn to Uber for the Last Mile," 29 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trade secret.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of trade secret

1825, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for trade secret

trade secret

noun

English Language Learners Definition of trade secret

: something (such as a special way of doing or making something) that is known only by the company that uses it and is protected from competitors

See the full definition for trade secret in the English Language Learners Dictionary

trade secret

noun
trade se·​cret

Legal Definition of trade secret

: a formula, process, device, or item of information used by a business that has economic value because it is not generally known or easily discovered by observation or examination and for which reasonable efforts to maintain secrecy have been made

Note: Trade secrets are a form of intellectual property. Many states have enacted laws which create an action for damages or injunctive relief against misappropriation of trade secrets by improper means. Information contained in a patent is not protected as a trade secret.

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