informant
noun
in·for·mant
in-ˈfȯr-mənt 
: a person who gives information: such as
a
: informer
b
: one who supplies cultural or linguistic data in response to interrogation by an investigator
Examples of informant in a Sentence
The police were alerted to the plot by a paid informant.
We learned the language with the help of a native informant.
Recent Examples on the Web
An informant told Colombian authorities last year that López Torres sent 500 kilos (1,102 lbs) of cocaine to Mexico monthly via small plane, according to El Heraldo, Barranquilla’s local newspaper.
—
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
That informant — a co-conspirator not identified in the indictments — is widely believed to be longtime East Bay political operative Mario Juarez, who has not been charged.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
The source of the information was an informant, a former friend and associate of Farzam who turned on him, according to state DOJ investigation reports obtained by CNN.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Donaghy’s scheme was only discovered through a broader FBI investigation of organized crime figures when an informant gave them a tip.
—David Hill, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for informant
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Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
That informant — a co-conspirator not identified in the indictments — is widely believed to be longtime East Bay political operative Mario Juarez, who has not been charged.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
The source of the information was an informant, a former friend and associate of Farzam who turned on him, according to state DOJ investigation reports obtained by CNN.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Donaghy’s scheme was only discovered through a broader FBI investigation of organized crime figures when an informant gave them a tip.
—David Hill, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for informant
Cite this Entry
“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
informant
noun
in·for·mant
in-ˈfȯr-mənt
: informer
Legal Definition
informant
noun
in·for·mant
in-ˈfȯr-mənt
: one who informs against another
specifically
: one who makes a practice especially for money of informing police of others' criminal activities
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