private investigator

noun

: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (such as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)

Examples of private investigator in a Sentence

She hired a private investigator to follow her husband. the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator
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.
Prosecutors added that Zhu hired McMahon, who was working as a private investigator, to locate the man. Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 Laura Lippman’s series of books following private investigator Tess Monaghan may soon hit the small screen: Tomorrow Studios (The Better Sister, One Piece) has acquired the series. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025 The Justice Department investigation has focused recently on an Israeli private investigator named Amit Forlit whom federal prosecutors are trying to extradite from the United Kingdom for allegedly orchestrating the hacking. Michael Copley, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025 Buzbee claims a recording of Jane Doe made Feb. 21 by two private investigators working on behalf of Carter should now be off-limits in the mogul’s case because Doe, according to him, was ambushed, intimidated and interviewed on her front porch without her attorneys present. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for private investigator

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of private investigator was in 1940

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/private%20investigator. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

private investigator

noun
: a person who does detective work and is not a member of a police force

Legal Definition

private investigator

noun
: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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