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person of interest
noun phrase
: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested
Examples of person of interest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tisch added the person of interest was also found with a lighter in his pocket.
—Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024
Tisch added that the person of interest was found with a lighter in his pocket.
—Pilar Arias, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024
The arrest comes after three high school students spotted the person of interest and alerted authorities, following the release of surveillance images to the public.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
Investigators considered the theory that JonBenét may have been killed by an intruder, and over the years, looked at other persons of interest, including a neighbor who played Santa Claus and at least two people who confessed to the murder.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1937, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of person of interest was
in 1937
Dictionary Entries Near person of interest
Cite this Entry
“Person of interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/person%20of%20interest. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Legal Definition
person of interest
: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested
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