investigate
verb
in·ves·ti·gate
in-ˈve-stə-ˌgāt 
investigated; investigating
: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry
: to make a systematic examination
especially
: to conduct an official inquiry
Examples of investigate in a Sentence
The police are still investigating the murder.
The accident was thoroughly investigated.
The manager promised to investigate when we pointed out an error on our bill.
He was investigated for his involvement in the incident.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Los Angeles County district attorney is investigating whether Southern California Edison should be criminally prosecuted for its actions in last year’s devastating Eaton wildfire, which killed 19 people and left thousands of families homeless, the company said Wednesday.
—
Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Authorities in Minnesota are investigating two more fatal house fires after an initial deadly blaze last weekend.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 19 Feb. 2026
One of them, former police officer Joseph DeAngelo, had been part of a task force investigating the Golden State Killer.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
The Sheriff’s Office said the man’s death is being investigated by its homicide division, as are all in-custody deaths.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for investigate
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Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Authorities in Minnesota are investigating two more fatal house fires after an initial deadly blaze last weekend.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 19 Feb. 2026
One of them, former police officer Joseph DeAngelo, had been part of a task force investigating the Golden State Killer.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
The Sheriff’s Office said the man’s death is being investigated by its homicide division, as are all in-custody deaths.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for investigate
Cite this Entry
“Investigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigate. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
investigate
verb
in·ves·ti·gate
in-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt
investigated; investigating
: to study by close examination and systematic inquiry
Etymology
from Latin investigare "to track, investigate," from in- "in, toward" and vestigium "footprint" — related to vestige
Word Origin
A detective investigating a crime may find the criminal by following clues. In much the same way, a hunter may find game by following tracks. The origins of the word investigate show how fitting it is to compare the detective to the hunter. The Latin word vestigium meant "footprint, track." Joined with the prefix in-, the noun vestigium gave rise to the verb investigare. This word meant both "to track or trace by footprints" and "to study or examine closely." Only the second meaning was kept when the verb was borrowed into English as investigate.
Legal Definition
investigate
verb
in·ves·ti·gate
in-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt
investigated; investigating
: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry
specifically
: to make (a criminal suspect) the subject of inquiry and study for the purpose of establishing probable cause
: to make a systematic examination
especially
: to conduct an official inquiry
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