investigation

[in-ves-ti-gey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of investigating or the condition of being investigated.

   Synonyms: exploration, scrutiny

2. a searching inquiry for ascertaining facts; detailed or careful examination.

   Synonyms: exploration, scrutiny

investigation

/ ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of investigating; a careful search or examination in order to discover facts, etc

Other Word Forms

• investigational adjective
• preinvestigation noun
• reinvestigation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of investigation¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English investigacio(u)n from Latin investīgātiōn- (stem of investīgātiō ). See investigate, -ion

Synonym Study

Investigation, examination, inquiry, research express the idea of an active effort to find out something. An investigation is a systematic, minute, and thorough attempt to learn the facts about something complex or hidden; it is often formal and official: an investigation of a bank failure. An examination is an orderly attempt to obtain information about or to make a test of something, often something presented for observation: a physical examination. An inquiry is an investigation made by asking questions rather than by inspection, or by study of available evidence: an inquiry into a proposed bond issue. Research is careful and sustained investigation.

Example Sentences

The Southern Section declined comment, saying the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has an ongoing investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

The Times confirmed the incident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, which said the driver, who is from Westminster, was verbally and physically assaulted.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, the NBA said it was launching an investigation into the matter.

From Los Angeles Times

Errors by machines used to diagnose diabetes mean at least 55,000 people in England will need further blood tests, a BBC investigation has discovered.

From BBC

On Wednesday, a coalition of student unions met with lawmakers and demanded an independent investigation into the police violence, portending further protests.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• analysis 
• case 
• examination 
• hearing 
• inquiry 
• inspection 
• probe 
• research 
• review 
• scrutiny 
• search 
• study 
• survey 

When To Use

What does investigation mean?

An investigation is a thorough search for facts, especially those that are hidden or need to be sorted out in a complex situation. The goal of an investigation is usually to determine how or why something happened.Investigations are usually formal and official. The word is commonly associated with police investigations of criminal activity, but it is used in many other contexts to refer to the process of investigating—systematically finding and examining evidence.Example: After a six-month investigation, this news organization uncovered widespread corruption.