informant
noun
in·for·mant
in-ˈfȯr-mənt 
: a person who gives information: such as
a
: informer
b
: one who supplies cultural or linguistic data in response to interrogation by an investigator
Examples of informant in a Sentence
The police were alerted to the plot by a paid informant.
We learned the language with the help of a native informant.
Recent Examples on the Web
The animosity between the two boiled over when suspicions grew among the Joneses that Brandon was Marty Baker’s secret informant, after a Skeet associate spotted Brandon and Baker having lunch together in Mentone.
—
Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
So now Chip is on board… but the informant doesn’t show, leaving Bradley without a firm plan to proceed.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
After White’s arrest, he was placed in a holding cell with a confidential informant, but declined to discuss the shooting, according to testimony.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
In March 2000, Jackson County drug detectives knocked on the door of a Grandview home and came out with 15 pounds of marijuana — and an informant willing to talk.
—Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for informant
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Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
So now Chip is on board… but the informant doesn’t show, leaving Bradley without a firm plan to proceed.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
After White’s arrest, he was placed in a holding cell with a confidential informant, but declined to discuss the shooting, according to testimony.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
In March 2000, Jackson County drug detectives knocked on the door of a Grandview home and came out with 15 pounds of marijuana — and an informant willing to talk.
—Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for informant
Cite this Entry
“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
informant
noun
in·for·mant
in-ˈfȯr-mənt
: informer
Legal Definition
informant
noun
in·for·mant
in-ˈfȯr-mənt
: one who informs against another
specifically
: one who makes a practice especially for money of informing police of others' criminal activities
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