English Reference

Word

CIA

Phoneticscia

/ˈsiˈaɪˈeɪ/

Definitions

02culinary school

C1 · Cooking

n. Stands for Culinary Institute of America. It is a famous school in the U.S. for people who want to become professional chefs.

n. Abbreviation for Culinary Institute of America. A private American college and culinary school specializing in culinary, baking, and pastry arts education.

“After finishing high school, she applied to the CIA to become a professional chef.”

“Graduates of the CIA are highly sought after by Michelin-starred restaurants across the United States.”

American English

Usage

Context usually distinguishes this from the intelligence agency; often used with the definite article.

03military status

C2 · Science

adj. Stands for captured-in-action. It describes a soldier who has been taken by the enemy during a battle.

adj. Abbreviation for captured-in-action. A military classification for personnel who have been taken prisoner by enemy forces during combat operations.

“The family received a letter stating that the pilot was listed as CIA.”

“The military report confirmed that three soldiers were CIA following the ambush on the northern perimeter.”

Technical

Usage

Used as a post-positive adjective or a status code in military reporting.

Synonyms

Real-World Examples

“There was no immediate comment from the CIA or the White House.”
The Guardian · 25 Aug 2026

Domain

Military

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Common
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/cia

English Reference