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

• 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 mid-2020, investigators had a major breakthrough. —T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025

In response to an open records request, the cabinet provided KPR with documents used to train investigators on intentional program violations. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025

Geohagan said any other potential other victims can contact Detective King, the lead investigator, at 704-336-7495 or Pat’s Place Advocacy Center at 704-335-2760. —Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025

However, Woods said investigators quickly determined that wasn’t the case. —Mitchell Willetts, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

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