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
There have also been several studies that aim to investigate the health impacts of congestion pricing schemes.
—
Laurie Winkless, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
While authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Konanki’s disappearance, the sources told the outlets that Konanki’s clothes were found on a chaise lounge on the beach and noted there were no signs of violence.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Refer to the owner's manual to troubleshoot these issues before hiring a sprinkler system technician to investigate and repair the problem.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2025
The closure of the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Office of Equity Assurance effectively hobbles internal efforts at the VA to investigate and eliminate long-standing racial inequities the department itself has acknowledged.
—Vernal Coleman, ProPublica, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for investigate
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Laurie Winkless, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
While authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Konanki’s disappearance, the sources told the outlets that Konanki’s clothes were found on a chaise lounge on the beach and noted there were no signs of violence.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Refer to the owner's manual to troubleshoot these issues before hiring a sprinkler system technician to investigate and repair the problem.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2025
The closure of the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Office of Equity Assurance effectively hobbles internal efforts at the VA to investigate and eliminate long-standing racial inequities the department itself has acknowledged.
—Vernal Coleman, ProPublica, 11 Mar. 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 14 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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