investigator

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ga·​tor in-ˈve-stə-ˌgā-tər How to pronounce investigator (audio)
plural investigators
: one who investigates something: such as
a
: detective
a private investigator
Debra Winger plays the investigator who becomes fixated on identifying a killer …Margaret Rauch
b
: a person who conducts experiments or is involved in scientific studies for research
the lead investigator in a clinical trial
For dialect recording, it is best for the investigator to take down as full and accurate notes as possible without slowing down the pace of the interview.Ravin I. McDavid, Jr.

Examples of investigator in a Sentence

investigators who discovered new evidence that the universe was much older than had been previously estimated the investigator in charge of the case was touted as an expert at tracing stolen art
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 National Transportation Safety Board said a team of U.S. investigators will participate in the probe. Laya Neelakandan,leslie Josephs, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2025 The man, who investigators believe was White and around 35 years old, offered Ronnie and his wife a short-term job at a logging camp that would also purportedly provide daycare for their children. Sean Neumann, People.com, 16 Feb. 2025 In the basement, investigators found Arnold’s blood, according to prosecutors. Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 16 Feb. 2025 The collision likely occurred at an altitude of about 325 feet, investigators have said, which would put the Black Hawk above its 200-foot limit for that location. Gary Fields and Tim Sullivan The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for investigator 

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of investigator was in 1538

Dictionary Entries Near investigator

Cite this Entry

“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigator. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

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