Federal Bureau of Investigation

British  

noun

1. See FBI

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Federal Bureau of Investigation Cultural  

1. An agency of the United States federal government, long headed by J. Edgar Hoover, which investigates violations of federal (rather than state or local) laws, including kidnaping, smuggling narcotics, and espionage.

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Established in 1908 under the Department of Justice, the FBI earned its reputation in the 1920s and 1930s by apprehending notorious bank robbers and gangsters.

Example Sentences

Both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are involved in the investigation into Sunday’s shootings, Smith said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

The incident is being investigated by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Cybercrime Unit, after the force received a referral from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Those that don’t, he said, could expect scrutiny from federal health agencies, the Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

You can also file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

The New York police passed the hollow nickel on to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin