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

Synonyms of informant

• informer

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

Shockingly, files revealed one key suspect was secretly working as a confidential informant for German intelligence. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Of the plants, the informants identified eight that sick elephants appear to target for a specific therapeutic purpose, or what the study suggests is the strongest evidence of intentional self-medication. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Authorities said they were tipped off by informants who gave evidence to prosecutors in exchange for protection. — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

And the government is no longer talking to an informant who had offered a road map to corruption in Congress. — William Turton, ProPublica, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for informant

• dormant
• formant

Kids 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