informant

noun

in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce informant (audio)
: a person who gives information: such as
a
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
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.
Instead, top administration officials have claimed Abrego Garcia is a member of the gang MS-13, citing allegations from a confidential informant. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 7 May 2025 In May 2002, investigators announced plans to search a Sauk County property where an informant said her body was buried. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 6 May 2025 The move to classify the AfD, which placed second in national elections in February, as a right-wing extremist group means intelligence officials can now use informants and other tools such as audio and video recordings to monitor its activities nationwide. Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025 May 1, 2025 The release of the videos follows the launch of a drive to recruit informants in China, Iran and North Korea last October, which included posting messages on the CIA’s social media accounts in Mandarin, Farsi and Korean with instructions on how to securely contact the CIA. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for informant

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of informant was in 1641

Cite this Entry

“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

informant

noun
in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce informant (audio)

Legal Definition

informant

noun
in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce informant (audio)
: one who informs against another
specifically : one who makes a practice especially for money of informing police of others' criminal activities

More from Merriam-Webster on informant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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