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
Family, friends mourn death of 9-year-old boy in Florida City
On Tuesday, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the shooting, arrested 19-year-old Montreal Savontae Jackson Jr.
—
Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
The Pulaski County sheriff's office is investigating Ireland's death.
—Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 22 Jan. 2025
This could have major implications for New Zealand’s forest ecosystems, though scientists are still investigating the possible ripple effects of the moa’s demise.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
The Justice Department directed its prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who hinder President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration, according to a memo from the second-ranking official in the department.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
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Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
The Pulaski County sheriff's office is investigating Ireland's death.
—Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 22 Jan. 2025
This could have major implications for New Zealand’s forest ecosystems, though scientists are still investigating the possible ripple effects of the moa’s demise.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
The Justice Department directed its prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who hinder President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration, according to a memo from the second-ranking official in the department.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
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 27 Jan. 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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