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

And 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.

b

: the sending of an electronic signal intended to trigger a particular response from something (such as a transponder)

The 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

interrogational

in-ˌter-ə-ˈgā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of interrogation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lessons of those interrogations are laced throughout the sound of the album, alongside traditional hip-hop, pop, and R&B structures. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2024

In the context of new store openings, their capital-intensive nature means many levels of human interrogation and verification are critical—even with the most sophisticated models. —Charles Wetzel, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024

Perez knew that police are entitled to lie in interrogations and said so, but Peraza kept on. —Rachel Clarke, CNN, 6 Sep. 2024

The full-day music video was unique, cool, and inventive, but it also could probably be used as a form of torture an enhanced interrogation technique. —Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing interrogation

• interrogation point