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)

A transponder will send an identifying coded signal in response to a transmitted interrogation …

—Jim Sparks

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

Self-interrogation, of course, is often unpleasant and is not a prescription that is likely to sell many books. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

The latter should check out the work of another Tariq, Tariq Saleh, whose subtle interrogations of religion and politics in a genre context — notably Cairo Conspiracy (2020) — are much more satisfying, accessible and profound. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026

This deep interrogation has led to cool experiments in form and distribution, like a series of zines sold via newspaper vending machine. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

Gulliver sees a society totally consumed by impractical and abstract scientific interrogation. — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing interrogation

• interrogation point

Rhymes for interrogation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration