interrogation

American  

[in-ter-uh-gey-shuhn] / ɪnˌtɛr əˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of interrogating; questioning.

2. an instance of being interrogated.

   He seemed shaken after his interrogation.

3. a question; inquiry.

4. a written list of questions.

5. an interrogation point; question mark.

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interrogation British  

/ ɪnˌtɛrəˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

1. the technique, practice, or an instance of interrogating

2. a question or query

3. telecomm the transmission of one or more triggering pulses to a transponder

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Other Word Forms

• interrogational adjective
• reinterrogation noun
• self-interrogation noun

Etymology

Origin of interrogation

1350–1400; Middle English interrogacio ( u ) n < Latin interrogātiōn- (stem of interrogātiō ). See interrogate, -ion

Example Sentences

The book’s playful interrogation of traditional gender expectations is sharpened with the introduction of 1855 Caleb, a fantasy and a nightmare, a stern, quiet man who Natalie finds both terrifying and alluring.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

But Judge Quraishi instead turned it into an interrogation of some legally questionable maneuvers by the New Jersey U.S.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

An interrogation nearly identical to that description plays out in last year’s Oscar-nominated film “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” by Mohammad Rasoulof, one of Panahi’s longtime collaborators.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

Authorities are required to tell suspects before interrogation that they have the right to remain silent and that anything they say can be used against them in court.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

Finally, my parents were getting past the interrogation phase, and dealing with the injured child — who, by the way, was still receiving first aid from his heroic, wronged brother.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick

Related Words

• cross-examination
• examination
• inquiry
• investigation