confidentiality

nounB2+Common in everyday speech and writing · #6,138 of 15,258neutral

Confidentiality is the duty to keep certain information private. A duty of confidentiality, breach of confidentiality, confidentiality agreement.

It is a legal and professional obligation for doctors, lawyers, counsellors and employers, and it is not absolute — there are defined circumstances where it must be broken, particularly where somebody is at risk. A confidentiality agreement is a contract binding somebody to silence. Note confidential; and that the Latin behind it is about trusting fully.

Definitions of confidentiality

1nounconfidentialityThe duty to keep certain information private.B2+
“Doctors must respect the confidentiality of their patients' records.”

confidentiality is a duty of privacy.

Where it comes from

From confidential + -ity.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Practised in Office & Admin, Mental Health & Wellbeing

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confidentiality in the wild

In legal disputes resolved by settlement, the parties often sign a confidentiality agreement relating to the terms of the settlement.
Non-disclosure agreement
Sub rosa (Neo-Latin for "under rose") is a Latin phrase which denotes secrecy or confidentiality.
Sub rosa
The discussions which take place in a closed session are subject to confidentiality rules and are similar to an executive session, which itself can be open or closed.
Closed session of the United States Congress
Establishing a breach of confidentiality depends on proving the existence and breach of a duty of confidentiality.
Breach of confidence
Most commonly, breach of confidentiality applies to the patient-physician relationship, but it can also apply to relationships involving banks, hospitals, insurance companies, and many others.
Breach of confidence

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From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.

Related words

confidential