# KGB

/ˌkeɪˌdʒiˈbi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kgb
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. Soviet security agency

noun · CEFR C1 · Archaic

Stands for Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti. The secret police and intelligence agency of the former Soviet Union.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti. The main security agency for the Soviet Union, responsible for internal security, intelligence, and secret police operations.

- Many spy novels from the Cold War feature agents working for the KGB.
- Historians have spent decades analyzing declassified documents to understand the full extent of KGB operations during the mid-twentieth century.

Usage: Usually preceded by the definite article 'the'.

Teaching tip: While the Soviet organization no longer exists, the term remains culturally significant in history and literature; note that Belarus still uses this name for its security service.

### 2. electronics testing

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

Stands for Known Good Board. A circuit board that is confirmed to work perfectly, used to test other parts.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Known Good Board. A printed circuit board verified to be fully functional, utilized as a reference standard during the troubleshooting or repair of electronic systems.

- The technician swapped the suspected faulty part with a KGB to see if the system would start.
- To isolate the fault in the power supply, the engineer substituted the main controller with a KGB from the inventory.

Usage: Commonly used in hardware engineering and electronics repair contexts.

## Examples

- He worked as a high-ranking officer in the KGB during the Cold War.
- Historical documents reveal how the KGB monitored the private lives of citizens to prevent political dissent.
- The legacy of the KGB continues to influence modern Russian intelligence structures, as many contemporary leaders began their careers within its vast bureaucratic and operational framework.

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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.