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
Social media platforms were filled with video clips not only of Good’s killing but also of federal agents doing sidewalk and parking lot interrogations of Black, Latino and other nonwhite residents.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Back at the police station, Rebecca and Walt turn up at the interrogation room where Cooper is being held, and Rebecca asks to see the surveillance footage of the incident.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
One of her most traumatic experiences occurred during interrogation.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Before the fire caused by Cheryl’s fake tracking device begins, Twila and Bea have Andrei cornered in the interrogation room.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
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Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Back at the police station, Rebecca and Walt turn up at the interrogation room where Cooper is being held, and Rebecca asks to see the surveillance footage of the incident.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
One of her most traumatic experiences occurred during interrogation.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Before the fire caused by Cheryl’s fake tracking device begins, Twila and Bea have Andrei cornered in the interrogation room.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 16 Jan. 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 28 Jan. 2026.
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