investigate
verb
in·ves·ti·gate
in-ˈve-stə-ˌgāt 
investigated; investigating
: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry
: to make a systematic examination
especially
: to conduct an official inquiry
Examples of investigate in a Sentence
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
Following the shootout at Bushkill, the FBI launched a probe into the task force to investigate whether there was someone on the inside feeding information to the Dark Hearts.
—
Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
State and local officials are investigating a Seattle-area corrections department after a whistleblower alleged the county was hiring unqualified immigrants as guards, according to a complaint filed with Washington state authorities.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
As hoards are often buried with other remains, archaeologists have dispatched teams to investigate.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
Federal authorities are investigating several fronts to determine how industrial methanol entered Brazil’s consumer alcohol supply.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigate
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Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
State and local officials are investigating a Seattle-area corrections department after a whistleblower alleged the county was hiring unqualified immigrants as guards, according to a complaint filed with Washington state authorities.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
As hoards are often buried with other remains, archaeologists have dispatched teams to investigate.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
Federal authorities are investigating several fronts to determine how industrial methanol entered Brazil’s consumer alcohol supply.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigate
Cite this Entry
“Investigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigate. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
investigate
verb
in·ves·ti·gate
in-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt
investigated; investigating
: to study by close examination and systematic inquiry
Etymology
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
: 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
: to make a systematic examination
especially
: to conduct an official inquiry
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