investigate

verb

in·​ves·​ti·​gate in-ˈve-stə-ˌgāt How to pronounce investigate (audio)
investigated; investigating

transitive verb

: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry

intransitive verb

: to make a systematic examination
especially : to conduct an official inquiry
investigation noun
investigative adjective
investigatory adjective

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 House Republicans led by Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio) are investigating how tech companies handle requests from Biden administration officials, demanding thousands of documents from internet platforms. Ann Marimow, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 Authorities were investigating the cause of an explosion that damaged a Van Nuys apartment building Saturday night. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2024 The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau and the Violent Crimes Unit is now investigating the death. Will McCarthy, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 Authorities, who were already investigating Barber’s disappearance, later arrested her boyfriend Christopher Astin Motry, 34, in connection with her death, Leyton said at the conference, which was broadcasted by FOX 66 and NBC 25. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 The Little Rock Police Department is investigating a shooting that killed a man early Saturday morning. Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 16 Mar. 2024 Northbound lanes were closed for about three and a half hours as CHP officers investigated. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024 The department is investigating the cause of the fire. Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024 The sergeant, a 51-year-old with 14 years of experience, suffered life-threatening injuries but is in stable condition at a hospital, according to the Milwaukee Police Department, which is investigating the attack, and the sheriff’s office. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'investigate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin investigatus, past participle of investigare to track, investigate, from in- + vestigium footprint, track

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of investigate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near investigate

Cite this Entry

“Investigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

investigate

verb
in·​ves·​ti·​gate in-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt How to pronounce investigate (audio)
investigated; investigating
: to study by close examination and systematic inquiry
investigation noun
investigative adjective
investigator noun
investigatory adjective
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 How to pronounce investigate (audio)
investigated; investigating

transitive verb

: 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

intransitive verb

: to make a systematic examination
especially : to conduct an official inquiry
investigation noun
investigative adjective
investigator noun
investigatory adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on investigate

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