investigate
verb
in·ves·ti·gate
in-ˈve-stə-ˌgāt 
investigated; investigating
: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry
: to make a systematic examination
especially
: to conduct an official inquiry
Synonyms
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
These intimate moments are juxtaposed a bit awkwardly with scenes depicting Ito as a journalist investigating her own ordeal.
—
Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2024
No one was in custody for the slaying, and detectives were investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
;.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 24 Oct. 2024
During his first administration, Trump tried to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was investigating Russia's efforts to assist Trump's 2016 campaign, and to impede Mueller's investigation, according to Mueller's report.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
To investigate both lines of inquiry, fertility and cancer.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for investigate 
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Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2024
No one was in custody for the slaying, and detectives were investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
;.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 24 Oct. 2024
During his first administration, Trump tried to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was investigating Russia's efforts to assist Trump's 2016 campaign, and to impede Mueller's investigation, according to Mueller's report.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
To investigate both lines of inquiry, fertility and cancer.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for investigate
Dictionary Entries Near investigate
Cite this Entry
“Investigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigate. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
investigate
verb
in·ves·ti·gate
in-ˈves-tə-ˌgāt
investigated; investigating
: to study by close examination and systematic inquiry
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
investigated; investigating
: 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
: to make a systematic examination
especially
: to conduct an official inquiry
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