interrogation

American  

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

noun

• interrogations
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• reinterrogation
  noun
• self-interrogation
  noun
• interrogational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• interrogations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of interrogation

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

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Explanation

An interrogation is a question or an intense questioning session. Police do interrogations of suspects all the time. Have you ever heard someone say, "What is this? An interrogation?" People say that when they feel like they're being questioned a little too much. An interrogation can mean a single question or a series of questions. Police stations usually have interrogation rooms for questioning suspects. When someone is doing an interrogation, they're looking for answers, and it's usually about something very serious.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

interrogation interrogations

"It was through interrogation work that investigators were able to get the receiver of the stolen goods to admit that he had indeed taken possession of the paintings."

From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026

Especially knowing full well that all that interrogation could ever reveal was a bottomless shame that nobody—and certainly not themselves—could atone for?

From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026

Although one participant appeared remotely, on a large TV monitor, during the real interrogation, the theatrical version places all three figures in the same room.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

Images circulated at the time showed Abu Safiya walking towards an Israeli armoured vehicle in his white doctor's coat through the rubble before being taken for interrogation.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

Day’s interrogation, meeting the Elector Primo and his son, and then Thomas.

From "Legend" by Marie Lu

But the trial judge Lieutenant Colonel Michael Schrama has concluded that Mohammed's subsequent interrogations in 2007 at Guantanamo were also inadmissible.

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

Those who were gay - or perceived to be gay - often faced intrusive interrogations, being "outed" to friends and family, and the shame of dishonourable discharge.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

Other suspects detained in Madagascar over the affair identified Ravatomanga, during interrogations conducted notably by the FBI, as the mastermind of the deal, people with knowledge of the case have told AFP.

From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2025

During these interrogations they had been accused of links with Hamas, the men added.

From BBC ● Apr. 7, 2025

By now, I was used to her interrogations.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

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Related Words

• cross-examination
• examination
• inquiry
• investigation

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