detective

American  

[dih-tek-tiv] / dɪˈtɛk tɪv /

noun

1. a member of the police force or a private investigator whose function is to obtain information and evidence, as of offenses against the law.

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adjective

1. of or relating to detection or detectives.

   a detective story.

2. serving to detect; detecting.

   various detective devices.

detective British  

/ dɪˈtɛktɪv /

noun

1. 1. a police officer who investigates crimes

   2. See private detective

   3. ( as modifier )

      a detective story

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adjective

1. used in or serving for detection

2. serving to detect

Etymology

Origin of detective

First recorded in 1830–40; detect + -ive

Example Sentences

Earlier on Tuesday, detectives provided testimony to the Navajo County grand jury and obtained an indictment and an arrest warrant from the county’s Superior Court.

From Los Angeles Times

Her disappearance captivated and confounded true crime watchers around the nation as FBI investigators and armchair detectives alike tried to solve the puzzle of what happened to Melodee.

From Los Angeles Times

Hussein told detectives he was not part of any plan and said the evidence of the undercover officer was "fantasy".

From BBC

This is essentially a French detective series but the forest of the title looms over the narrative like an additional character.

From Los Angeles Times

Jenny told her case detective and he said he would come back to her, but he never did: "I was so young and naive, I didn't push him on it."

From BBC

Related Words

• agent
• informer
• police officer
• private eye
• private investigator
• prosecutor
• reporter
• sleuth
• spy