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
Moreland's plan failed as Pedigo became a confidential informant for the FBI, adding to the federal government's case for obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
—
Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 17 July 2025
Nationwide, there have been 256 exonerations tied to the use of jailhouse informants, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Additionally, in the weeks following the rapper’s deadly shooting, a wave of gang violence ensued in L.A. that informants told police was retaliation for Shakur’s murder, the Los Angeles Times reported.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 1 July 2025
Kennedy met with the CIA after a 1955 tour of the Soviet Union, relaying his observations to the spy agency as a voluntary informant, the documents show.
—Arkansas Online, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for informant
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Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 17 July 2025
Nationwide, there have been 256 exonerations tied to the use of jailhouse informants, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Additionally, in the weeks following the rapper’s deadly shooting, a wave of gang violence ensued in L.A. that informants told police was retaliation for Shakur’s murder, the Los Angeles Times reported.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 1 July 2025
Kennedy met with the CIA after a 1955 tour of the Soviet Union, relaying his observations to the spy agency as a voluntary informant, the documents show.
—Arkansas Online, 13 June 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 24 Jul. 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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