person of interest

noun phrase

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested

Examples of person of interest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Authorities say that Freeman was also investigated late last year as a person of interest in the still-unsolved January 2025 disappearance of Heaven McGee, who was believed to be a victim of human trafficking at the time. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026 Detectives are searching for a person of interest. Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026 Law enforcement has also not named a person of interest or a suspect in the case. Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 26 Mar. 2026 Police have detained several persons of interest but have not charged anyone. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for person of interest

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of person of interest was in 1937

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Cite this Entry

“Person of interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/person%20of%20interest. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

Legal Definition

person of interest

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested
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