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

It’s hard to believe Mr. Smith hasn’t ruminated more seriously on what he might have done differently, and maybe he’ll share that someday in a forum other than a House interrogation.

From The Wall Street Journal

But upon closer interrogation, the whole thing gave me the willies.

From The Wall Street Journal

After their monthlong interrogation, most are sent back to their units.

From The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. discovered that in 2003, when a team of almost two dozen agents who had abducted an Egyptian cleric in Italy for secret interrogation was outed by analysis of their local cellphone records.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

Related Words

• cross-examination
• examination
• inquiry
• investigation