investigate

1 of 2

verb

in·​ves·​ti·​gate in-ˈve-stə-ˌgāt 

investigated; investigating

transitive verb

: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry

intransitive verb

: to make a systematic examination

especially : to conduct an official inquiry

investigation

in-ˌve-stə-ˈgā-shən 

noun

investigative

in-ˈve-stə-ˌgā-tiv 

adjective

investigatory

in-ˈve-sti-gə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

investigation

2 of 2

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ga·​tion ə̇nˌvestəˈgāshən 

plural -s

1

: the action or process of investigating : detailed examination : study, research

success of the … blend in knitwear has led to active investigation of blends with other fibers

—American Fabrics

a strong movement to make American universities centers of scholarly work and scientific investigation

—J. B. Conant

2

: a searching inquiry : examination, survey

his doctoral thesis was a penetrating investigation of the causes of race conflict

carried on energetic investigations of the medicinal flora of Mexico

—American Guide Series: Michigan

specifically : an official probe

the first Congressional investigation of loyalty in government

—Will Herberg

Synonyms of investigate

Verb

• explore
• examine

Examples of investigate in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

The new charges were brought after Bedfordshire Police investigated reports made by four additional women, police said. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance crew is set to investigate the tropical depression. — Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Both drivers remained at the scene and faced no immediate charges as cops continue to investigate. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026

The arrests mark the latest in a widening legal battle for the brothers, who already face criminal proceedings in Romania, where authorities have been investigating them since December 2022. — Staff Report, USA Today, 19 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin investigatus, past participle of investigare to track, investigate, from in- + vestigium footprint, track

Noun

Middle English investigacioun, from Middle French investigation, from Latin investigation-, investigatio, from investigatus (past participle of investigare) + -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for investigate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

investigate

verb

in·​ves·​ti·​gate in-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt 

investigated; investigating

: to study by close examination and systematic inquiry

investigation

-ˌves-tə-ˈgā-shən 

noun

investigative

-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt-iv 

adjective

investigator

-ˌgāt-ər 

noun

investigatory

-ˈves-ti-gə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

Etymology

Verb

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

transitive verb

: 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

intransitive verb

: to make a systematic examination

especially : to conduct an official inquiry

investigation

in-ˌves-tə-ˈgā-shən 

noun

investigative

in-ˈves-tə-ˌgā-tiv 

adjective

investigator

-ˌgā-tər 

noun

investigatory

in-ˈves-tə-gə-ˌtōr-ē 

adjective