investigate

verb

in·​ves·​ti·​gate in-ˈve-stə-ˌgāt How to pronounce investigate (audio)
investigated; investigating

transitive verb

: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry

intransitive verb

: to make a systematic examination
especially : to conduct an official inquiry
investigation noun
investigative adjective
investigatory adjective

Examples of investigate in a Sentence

The police are still investigating the murder. The accident was thoroughly investigated. The manager promised to investigate when we pointed out an error on our bill. He was investigated for his involvement in the incident.
Recent Examples on the Web The sergeant, a 51-year-old with 14 years of experience, suffered life-threatening injuries but is in stable condition at a hospital, according to the Milwaukee Police Department, which is investigating the attack, and the sheriff’s office. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 The Health Ministry can file complaints with police, who then investigate and hand the case to prosecutors for a possible indictment, according to Choi, the law firm partner. Jiwon Song and Hyung-Jin Kim, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 The Justice Department is also currently investigating whether Apple violated U.S. antitrust law by stifling competitors and could face a lawsuit as early as late March, according to reports. correction A previous version of this article misstated the Spotify CEO Daniel Ek's name. Cristiano Lima-Strong, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 The largest fire in the history of the state is being investigated by the Texas A&M Forest Service, which has not yet determined a cause. S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2024 Cohen was investigated by federal prosecutors and pleaded guilty to multiple charges in 2018. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 McHenry said deputies are investigating to see if anyone else was involved. Alexis Martin and Mildred Fallen, The Enquirer, 4 Mar. 2024 Runge has been investigating the six and thus Jamal over the past seven months. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 The neuroscientist Lucina Uddin investigates how different brain networks, including the default mode network, interact. Nora Bradford, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'investigate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin investigatus, past participle of investigare to track, investigate, from in- + vestigium footprint, track

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of investigate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near investigate

Cite this Entry

“Investigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

investigate

verb
in·​ves·​ti·​gate in-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt How to pronounce investigate (audio)
investigated; investigating
: to study by close examination and systematic inquiry
investigation noun
investigative adjective
investigator noun
investigatory adjective
Etymology

from Latin investigare "to track, investigate," from in- "in, toward" and vestigium "footprint" — related to vestige

Word Origin
A detective investigating a crime may find the criminal by following clues. In much the same way, a hunter may find game by following tracks. The origins of the word investigate show how fitting it is to compare the detective to the hunter. The Latin word vestigium meant "footprint, track." Joined with the prefix in-, the noun vestigium gave rise to the verb investigare. This word meant both "to track or trace by footprints" and "to study or examine closely." Only the second meaning was kept when the verb was borrowed into English as investigate.

Legal Definition

investigate

verb
in·​ves·​ti·​gate in-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt How to pronounce investigate (audio)
investigated; investigating

transitive verb

: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry
specifically : to make (a criminal suspect) the subject of inquiry and study for the purpose of establishing probable cause

intransitive verb

: to make a systematic examination
especially : to conduct an official inquiry
investigation noun
investigative adjective
investigator noun
investigatory adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on investigate

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