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
Firefighters in Massachusetts were investigating an explosion Wednesday that left a house engulfed in flames and at least two people injured, authorities said.
—
Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
Jennifer Penton — who investigated the crash in Woburn involving Quigley — is the supervisor of the Defense Tactic Unit that’s supposed to oversee the boxing training.
—Aaron Curtis, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Another clip posted to YouTube showed the bird with a joint in its mouth, said Trevor Pell, a lieutenant specialist with the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s law enforcement division, who investigated the case.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide detectives are investigating the crash, said Detective Samantha Choon, an agency spokeswoman.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for investigate
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Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
Jennifer Penton — who investigated the crash in Woburn involving Quigley — is the supervisor of the Defense Tactic Unit that’s supposed to oversee the boxing training.
—Aaron Curtis, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Another clip posted to YouTube showed the bird with a joint in its mouth, said Trevor Pell, a lieutenant specialist with the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s law enforcement division, who investigated the case.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide detectives are investigating the crash, said Detective Samantha Choon, an agency spokeswoman.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 25 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 26 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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