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
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.
Ravin I. McDavid, Jr.
Examples of investigator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The investigation into the matter is ongoing, and crime scene investigators continue to collect and process evidence from the scene to ensure no additional foul play was involved.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2023
Police have not yet identified him, and investigators said that so far, there's no information to suggest the suspect's motive.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 26 Nov. 2023
None of the victims were wearing seat belts, investigators said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2023
According to the outlet, investigators said that Yoo-jung posed as a mother on a tutoring app, who was searching for someone to teach her daughter English.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Also included in the April 2022 release was bodycam footage of investigators questioning Baldwin in the hours after the shooting.
—Chloe Melas, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2023
Since May, investigators have received 1,250 tips from the public.
—Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023
The suspect was released after law enforcement sources told the Detroit Free Press that investigators executed a search warrant on his home.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 14 Nov. 2023
The prosecutor added that surveillance video of the incident helped investigators identify the suspects.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
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Greg Wehner, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2023
Police have not yet identified him, and investigators said that so far, there's no information to suggest the suspect's motive.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 26 Nov. 2023
None of the victims were wearing seat belts, investigators said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2023
According to the outlet, investigators said that Yoo-jung posed as a mother on a tutoring app, who was searching for someone to teach her daughter English.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Also included in the April 2022 release was bodycam footage of investigators questioning Baldwin in the hours after the shooting.
—Chloe Melas, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2023
Since May, investigators have received 1,250 tips from the public.
—Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023
The suspect was released after law enforcement sources told the Detroit Free Press that investigators executed a search warrant on his home.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 14 Nov. 2023
The prosecutor added that surveillance video of the incident helped investigators identify the suspects.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'investigator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1538, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing investigator
Dictionary Entries Near investigator
Cite this Entry
“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigator. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on investigator
Nglish: Translation of investigator for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of investigator for Arabic Speakers
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