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
Authorities are investigating a shooting that left two people injured early Saturday morning in Union City.
—
Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
Still others are investigating viruses that attack Bd and eventually might be used to reduce its virulence.
—Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024
In India, investigating officer Dilip Thakor said media attention had led to the arrest of three men in the Patel case, but hundreds of such cases don’t even reach the courts.
—Ryan J. Foley, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
The shooting in Little Italy San Diego Police are investigating a deadly shooting in broad daylight Wednesday in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood that was followed by a shootout involving police a short while later.
—Nbc San Diego, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
Still others are investigating viruses that attack Bd and eventually might be used to reduce its virulence.
—Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024
In India, investigating officer Dilip Thakor said media attention had led to the arrest of three men in the Patel case, but hundreds of such cases don’t even reach the courts.
—Ryan J. Foley, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
The shooting in Little Italy San Diego Police are investigating a deadly shooting in broad daylight Wednesday in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood that was followed by a shootout involving police a short while later.
—Nbc San Diego, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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 30 Nov. 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
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