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
The investigation into the ring began in August after law enforcement was tipped off by a confidential informant, one investigator said.
—
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Closer to home, agents searched houses across New England, relying heavily on informants.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Federal prosecutors in Alabama secured an 11-count indictment accusing the organization of paying millions of dollars to some of those undercover informants and hiding the real purpose of the payments from its donors.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
As Ballmer sees it, Sanberg agreed to cooperate in exchange for the league submitting a favorable sentencing letter to Judge Wilson, and thus he shouldn’t be regarded as a credible informant.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for informant
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Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Closer to home, agents searched houses across New England, relying heavily on informants.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Federal prosecutors in Alabama secured an 11-count indictment accusing the organization of paying millions of dollars to some of those undercover informants and hiding the real purpose of the payments from its donors.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
As Ballmer sees it, Sanberg agreed to cooperate in exchange for the league submitting a favorable sentencing letter to Judge Wilson, and thus he shouldn’t be regarded as a credible informant.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 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 28 Apr. 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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