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
Explosion: Several local, state and federal agencies are investigating different facets of the explosion that happened on Nov. 12 at the Givaudan Sense Colour facility.
—
Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 29 Nov. 2024
The Fresno County and Merced County health departments continue to investigate, KFSN said.
—Danielle Jennings, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene to investigate the shooting, per protocol.
—Sydney Barragan, Orange County Register, 29 Nov. 2024
With little information forthcoming from Laos authorities, some travelers in Vang Vieng and friends of those who died have taken it upon themselves to investigate.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
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Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 29 Nov. 2024
The Fresno County and Merced County health departments continue to investigate, KFSN said.
—Danielle Jennings, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene to investigate the shooting, per protocol.
—Sydney Barragan, Orange County Register, 29 Nov. 2024
With little information forthcoming from Laos authorities, some travelers in Vang Vieng and friends of those who died have taken it upon themselves to investigate.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 29 Nov. 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 3 Dec. 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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