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
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 district told Child Protective Services about these reports, and the agency is investigating, the district’s statement notes.
—
Dalia Faheid, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Local and state officials are investigating the 26-year-old's death as a homicide.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
Police were investigating the connection to Petito’s disappearance.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Feb. 2025
Foul play is not suspected and the medical examiner is currently investigating the death, per police.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigate
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Dalia Faheid, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Local and state officials are investigating the 26-year-old's death as a homicide.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
Police were investigating the connection to Petito’s disappearance.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Feb. 2025
Foul play is not suspected and the medical examiner is currently investigating the death, per police.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigate
Cite this Entry
“Investigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigate. Accessed 3 Mar. 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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