investigator

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ga·​tor in-ˈve-stə-ˌgā-tər 

plural investigators

: one who investigates something: such as

a

: detective

a private investigator

Debra Winger plays the investigator who becomes fixated on identifying a killer …

—Margaret Rauch

b

: a person who conducts experiments or is involved in scientific studies for research

the lead investigator in a clinical trial

For dialect recording, it is best for the investigator to take down as full and accurate notes as possible without slowing down the pace of the interview.

—Ravin I. McDavid, Jr.

Synonyms of investigator

• researcher

Examples of investigator in a Sentence

investigators who discovered new evidence that the universe was much older than had been previously estimated

the investigator in charge of the case was touted as an expert at tracing stolen art

Recent Examples on the Web

In a statement posted to Facebook, the Wichita Police Department asked anyone with video of the incident to upload it so investigators could take a look. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026

The Roseville-Rocklin regional SWAT team assisted investigators in serving the warrant Friday morning. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026

In the aftermath investigators found as many as 15 spent shell casings. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Authorities also searched the shooter’s home Thursday, with investigators recovering computers and other electronic devices, according to the source. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing investigator

• co-investigator
• private investigator

Rhymes for investigator

• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• attenuator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator