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
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
Editor’s Note: Examining clothes through the ages, Dress Codes investigates how the rules of fashion have influenced different cultural arenas — and your closet.
CNN —
Pristine, crisp and all-white — tennis whites have been a tradition dating back centuries.
—
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
He was previously investigated for violating NOAA's scientific integrity policy.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 July 2025
Through two studies, researchers investigated whether activating different time perspectives could impact people’s confidence and follow-through on personal goals.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Though there’s been plenty of research on the most effective training frequency and set volume, few studies have investigated how people should actually divide up their activity into different workouts, said lead study author Jacob Remmert, a PhD candidate at Florida Atlantic University.
—Brian Mastroianni, Health, 9 July 2025
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Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
He was previously investigated for violating NOAA's scientific integrity policy.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 July 2025
Through two studies, researchers investigated whether activating different time perspectives could impact people’s confidence and follow-through on personal goals.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Though there’s been plenty of research on the most effective training frequency and set volume, few studies have investigated how people should actually divide up their activity into different workouts, said lead study author Jacob Remmert, a PhD candidate at Florida Atlantic University.
—Brian Mastroianni, Health, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigate
Cite this Entry
“Investigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigate. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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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