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

Synonyms of informant

• informer

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

In other words, the governor of the strategically important border state of Baja California was just caught on tape offering to become an FBI informant. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Over the past four seasons, Voit has gone from being a brutal murderer to a key informant for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. — Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

As a result, the allegation in Urdaneta’s statement has hung over Binaggia since 2021, possibly affecting his eligibility for financial compensation as HSI’s confidential informant. — Jay Weaver july 21, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Earlier this year, a Times investigation revealed ICE deported an informant who had turned against two of his co-defendants in a meth smuggling case. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for informant

• dormant
• formant

Kids 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