investigator

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ga·​tor in-ˈve-stə-ˌgā-tər How to pronounce investigator (audio)
plural investigators
: one who investigates something: such as
a
: detective
a private investigator
Debra Winger plays the investigator who becomes fixated on identifying a killer …Margaret Rauch
b
: a person who conducts experiments or is involved in scientific studies for research
the lead investigator in a clinical trial
For dialect recording, it is best for the investigator to take down as full and accurate notes as possible without slowing down the pace of the interview.Ravin I. McDavid, Jr.

Examples of investigator in a Sentence

investigators who discovered new evidence that the universe was much older than had been previously estimated the investigator in charge of the case was touted as an expert at tracing stolen art
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.
Few people, other than the investigators, had been inside the Pulse building before this past week. Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2025 Middle Street and Lake Avenue were closed for several hours while investigators were at the scene. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025 The police investigation that followed included surveillance and a ruse where investigators answered local prostitution ads and were directed to the home. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 June 2025 One firefighter was killed and two others were injured when a weekend training exercise spiraled out of control in western North Carolina, according to investigators. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for investigator

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of investigator was in 1538

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Cite this Entry

“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigator. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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