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
Secondly, investigating the relationship between immediate and medium-term returns following the earnings announcement to guide trading choices after the release.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
While the researchers were investigating their ChoiceJacking attacks last year, Google independently updated its confirmation with the release of version 15 in November.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2025
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the shooting and asks that anyone with additional information contacts them at 312-746-3609 or visit their website.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025
The cause of the outage is currently being investigated by Spanish and Portuguese officials and ministers.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigate
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Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
While the researchers were investigating their ChoiceJacking attacks last year, Google independently updated its confirmation with the release of version 15 in November.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2025
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the shooting and asks that anyone with additional information contacts them at 312-746-3609 or visit their website.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025
The cause of the outage is currently being investigated by Spanish and Portuguese officials and ministers.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigate
Cite this Entry
“Investigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigate. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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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