the activity of secretly obtaining information about enemies or competitors for a government or other organization

he was arrested this year and accused of spying

it's unclear whether any illegal spying occurred

the company has repeatedly denied the spying accusations

work for a government or other organization by secretly obtaining information about enemies or competitors

he agreed to spy for the West

discern or make out, especially by careful observation

he could spy a figure in the distance

a person employed by a government or other organization to secretly obtain information on an enemy or competitor