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
There were at least four instances of distribution to a confidential informant involved in that investigation, authorities said.
—
Paula Wethington, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
The firm was co-founded by the FBI agents who took down the Silk Road; one of them now hosts a podcast with a former blackhat hacker turned federal informant.
—Brendan O'Connor, Curbed, 24 Feb. 2026
Last month, Elicker announced Jacobson’s retirement, saying the former chief acknowledged taking money from a city fund used to pay confidential informants who assist in narcotics investigations, according to The Associated Press.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Rios’ attorneys contend that the case had gone cold when Guevara, who at the time was a gang crimes specialist, not a homicide detective, inserted himself into the investigation by claiming two confidential informants had fingered Rios as the gunman.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for informant
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Paula Wethington, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
The firm was co-founded by the FBI agents who took down the Silk Road; one of them now hosts a podcast with a former blackhat hacker turned federal informant.
—Brendan O'Connor, Curbed, 24 Feb. 2026
Last month, Elicker announced Jacobson’s retirement, saying the former chief acknowledged taking money from a city fund used to pay confidential informants who assist in narcotics investigations, according to The Associated Press.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Rios’ attorneys contend that the case had gone cold when Guevara, who at the time was a gang crimes specialist, not a homicide detective, inserted himself into the investigation by claiming two confidential informants had fingered Rios as the gunman.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for informant
Cite this Entry
“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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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