es·pi·o·nage /'es-pē-ə-ˌnäzh, -ˌnäj, -nij/ n: the practice of gathering, transmitting, or losing through gross negligence information relating to the defense of the U.S. with the intent that or with reason to believe that the information will be used to the injury of the U.S. or the advantage of a foreign nation
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.