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
The highway patrol is currently investigating a potential second fatality.
—
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2024
Currently, Hoover is investigating if the spined soldier bugs will prefer lanternflies over other prey, given other choices.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 4 July 2024
The cause of the fire is unknown, and a fire investigator will be brought in to investigate, park officials said.
—Jillian Sykes, CNN, 3 July 2024
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating nearly 50 illnesses — including one possible death — that might be linked to microdosing candies available online and at retailers nationwide.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for investigate 
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2024
Currently, Hoover is investigating if the spined soldier bugs will prefer lanternflies over other prey, given other choices.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 4 July 2024
The cause of the fire is unknown, and a fire investigator will be brought in to investigate, park officials said.
—Jillian Sykes, CNN, 3 July 2024
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating nearly 50 illnesses — including one possible death — that might be linked to microdosing candies available online and at retailers nationwide.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for investigate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'investigate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near investigate
Cite this Entry
“Investigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigate. Accessed 7 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share