interrogation
noun
in·ter·ro·ga·tion
in-ˌter-ə-ˈgā-shən 
plural interrogations
: the act of interrogating someone or something: such as
a
: a formal and systematic questioning
She conducted a skillful interrogation of the witness.
It was old-fashioned interrogation and eavesdropping that first led U.S. intelligence agents to the … plotters.—
Michael Isikoff
Michael IsikoffAnd during interrogation, instead of just listening for inconsistencies in what is said, agents are being taught to look for minute physical reactions on the faces of people being questioned.—Ann Davis et al.
Ann Davis et al.
b
: the sending of an electronic signal intended to trigger a particular response from something (such as a transponder)
A transponder will send an identifying coded signal in response to a transmitted interrogation …—Jim Sparks
Jim SparksThe airborne equipment measures the time between the interrogation and the return signal, and converts this time measurement into a mileage reading on our instrument panel, on either a dial or digital counter.—Joseph W. Benkert
Joseph W. BenkertExamples of interrogation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He was only let out of the room for interrogations.
—Manuel Rueda, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
Behind the large wooden door, its frescoed walls closed to the general public reveal details of the compound's dramatic history, including papal conclaves and the Inquisition interrogation of Galileo Galilei.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
After a brief interrogation, he was removed from the country.
—Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
Its agents identify protest organizers, monitor communications and conduct interrogations, according to The Jerusalem Post.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
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Manuel Rueda, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
Behind the large wooden door, its frescoed walls closed to the general public reveal details of the compound's dramatic history, including papal conclaves and the Inquisition interrogation of Galileo Galilei.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
After a brief interrogation, he was removed from the country.
—Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
Its agents identify protest organizers, monitor communications and conduct interrogations, according to The Jerusalem Post.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
Cite this Entry
“Interrogation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogation. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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