informant

noun

in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce informant (audio)
: a person who gives information: such as
a
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 The post alleged Leung worked as a US informant for more than three decades, beginning in 1989. Nectar Gan, CNN, 11 Sep. 2023 In 2012, the federal case disintegrated over issues including the FBI’s handling of its informant. Justin Scheck, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023 These are blamed on the Bahraini opposition, but the station chief suggests that the spy’s informant, who has become a friend, was involved. Condé Nast, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023 Ukraine has also faced its own struggle to root out Russian informant networks, making hundreds of arrests. Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023 But first, here are a few more updates from USA TODAY's Russia-Ukraine Live Blog: An informant who was plotting with Russian agents to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been arrested, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said Monday. Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2023 Between October 2020 and early 2021, the informant met with Dagesian four times at the hookah lounge and purchased 11 firearms, according to federal prosecutors. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023 Prosecutors said Keith targeted the group because a family member worked as a police informant in a drug-trafficking case in which Keith was arrested. Adam Ferrise, cleveland, 16 Aug. 2023 An informant who was plotting with Russian agents to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been arrested, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said Monday. Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of informant was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near informant

Cite this Entry

“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

informant

noun
in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce informant (audio)

Legal Definition

informant

noun
in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce informant (audio)
: one who informs against another
specifically : one who makes a practice especially for money of informing police of others' criminal activities

More from Merriam-Webster on informant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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