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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One person of interest was taken into custody, police told ABC Chicago station WLS. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026 Gonzalez said police determined that a confrontation between the victim and a person of interest happened just before the shooting. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026 Police initially detained Guzman as a person of interest while investigators worked to determine his involvement and whether drugs or alcohol were factors. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 Detectives released photos of two persons of interest and other possible witnesses. — Eric MacK , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 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

Rhymes for person of interest

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Browse Nearby Words

person of inherence
person of interest
person-to-person
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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 9 Nov. 2026.

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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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