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

Police records indicate Harris was shot three times, though investigators found only one spent bullet casing in the building’s side walkway. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026

During a search of his home, investigators reportedly found and seized 152 grams of fentanyl, 215 grams of crack cocaine, 91 grams of powder cocaine, eight grams of methamphetamine, a gun magazine and 50 rounds of assorted ammunition, court records show. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026

At the crime scene, investigators found a can of Coca-Cola and a trail of blood leading from the camper. —Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026

Quininchetta discarded the weapon in a nearby parking lot and returned home using a rideshare service, investigators said. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 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