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
One is filing a complaint with the DOT, which it is obligated to investigate (at least, for now).
—
Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
No bombs were found and police were investigating the threats.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Following the attack, Congress formed the January 6 Committee, a bipartisan entity tasked with investigating what led to the events of the attack.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Law enforcement is investigating after someone falsely reported an active shooter Sunday morning at a Boise religious center.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigate
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Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
No bombs were found and police were investigating the threats.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Following the attack, Congress formed the January 6 Committee, a bipartisan entity tasked with investigating what led to the events of the attack.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Law enforcement is investigating after someone falsely reported an active shooter Sunday morning at a Boise religious center.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 28 Sep. 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 3 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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