interrogation

noun

in·​ter·​ro·​ga·​tion in-ˌter-ə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce interrogation (audio)
plural interrogations
: the act of interrogating someone or something: such as
a
: a formal and systematic questioning
She conducted a skillful interrogation of the witness.
It was old-fashioned interrogation and eavesdropping that first led U.S. intelligence agents to the … plotters.Michael Isikoff
And during interrogation, instead of just listening for inconsistencies in what is said, agents are being taught to look for minute physical reactions on the faces of people being questioned.Ann Davis et al.
b
: the sending of an electronic signal intended to trigger a particular response from something (such as a transponder)
The airborne equipment measures the time between the interrogation and the return signal, and converts this time measurement into a mileage reading on our instrument panel, on either a dial or digital counter.Joseph W. Benkert
interrogational adjective

Examples of interrogation in a Sentence

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.
In the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush’s administration decided anti-torture laws didn’t apply to its interrogation techniques at Guantanamo Bay and allowed surveillance of U.S. citizens and foreigners in the country. Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024 Monday marked the second day of the trail already rife with emotions, including testimony from Riley's roommate, the playing of Riley's 911 call moments before her death as well as police interrogation tapes, according to CNN. Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 18 Nov. 2024 Cheers erupt at the news, and alone in an interrogation room, Curtis hollers to ask what’s going on. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024 Amid interrogations about production levels and stockpile health, Replicator promises to set the pace for cheap, fast, proliferated weapons. Colin Demarest, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interrogation 

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interrogation was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near interrogation

Cite this Entry

“Interrogation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogation. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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