# CIA

/ˈsiˈaɪˈeɪ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cia
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 2. culinary school

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

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

For teachers: 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.

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

### 3. military status

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

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

## Examples

- The CIA collects information to help protect national security.
- After years of working in foreign embassies, she was recruited by the CIA to analyze international data.
- Declassified documents reveal how the CIA monitored geopolitical shifts during the Cold War to provide the executive branch with strategic foresight.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.