trade secret

noun

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are trade secrets, any formulas or methods, such as Google’s search algorithm or Coke’s recipe. Margot MacHol Bisnow, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025 But Sulton contended this was not a normal course of action in a case, saying that typically protective orders are issued in situations involving trade secrets or confidential business forecasting. Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025 Apple has a long history of aggressively defending its intellectual property—and taking legal actions against former employees accused of leaking or stealing trade secrets. Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 July 2025 The espionage was part of a Chinese government policy to steal trade secrets from aviation companies, prosecutors said, and develop technology at American expense. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for trade secret

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trade secret was in 1825

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Cite this Entry

“Trade secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trade%20secret. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Legal Definition

trade secret

noun
trade se·​cret
: 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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