investigate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to examine, study, or inquire into systematically; search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail.
-
to search out and examine the particulars of in an attempt to learn the facts about something hidden, unique, or complex, especially in an attempt to find a motive, cause, or culprit.
The police are investigating the murder.
verb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
- investigable adjective
- investigative adjective
- investigator noun
- investigatory adjective
- preinvestigate verb
- preinvestigator noun
- quasi-investigated adjective
- reinvestigate verb
- uninvestigated adjective
- uninvestigating adjective
- uninvestigative adjective
- uninvestigatory adjective
- well-investigated adjective
Etymology
Origin of investigate
First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin investīgātus, past participle of investīgāre “to follow a trail, search out”; in- 2, vestige, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To investigate further, scientists extracted ancient DNA from the petrous portion of the temporal bone in both skeletons, an area known for preserving genetic material.
From Science Daily
MPs may investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for his conduct while working as a trade envoy for the UK, the chairman of the cross-party Business and Trade Committee has said.
From BBC
Ireland’s data protection watchdog DPC said on Tuesday it is investigating X over concerns it could be breaching European Union privacy rules.
The findings, published in Science of the Total Environment, mark the first study to investigate how microplastics affect an Antarctic insect and the first to confirm plastic particles inside wild-caught midges.
From Science Daily
The Nigerian government stated it was working with local and international partners to investigate these cases and enhance public awareness.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
