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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Although no violence occurred, prosecutors alleged that Schimenti at one point expressed to an undercover informant a desire to attack soldiers at the base, which was near his home. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025 Once behind bars, Limon-Gonzalez discovered an unnamed government informant had given up information about him in December 2022, authorities say. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025 Haley was found guilty of two counts of deprivation of rights resulting in bodily injury and two counts of tampering with a witness, victim or informant. Phil Helsel, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2025 What To Know NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin said an informant in the jail told investigators that Jake Haro admitted to killing Emmanuel and placing the body in a trash can in the family home. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for informant

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of informant was in 1641

Cite this Entry

“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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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