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.
The witness was in fact facing 30 years in another murder case and went on record as an informant for police to take years off. J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2025 Both the for-profit and nonprofit businesses were founded by Edward Clancy, a businessman and former political consultant who once worked as an FBI informant. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 In January 2021, Tarrio was revealed as having previously worked as a federal informant, a background that did not sit well with many members of the Proud Boys, Miller said. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025 But per Bloomberg on Thursday, the bureau has now reportedly warned agents that some of its own call logs stolen from AT&T during the attacks may be able to identify sources and perhaps even informants. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 3 Mar. 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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