investigation

[in-ves-ti-gey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of investigating or the condition of being investigated.

   Synonyms: exploration, scrutiny

2. a searching inquiry for ascertaining facts; detailed or careful examination.

   Synonyms: exploration, scrutiny

investigation

/ ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of investigating; a careful search or examination in order to discover facts, etc

Other Word Forms

• investigational adjective
• preinvestigation noun
• reinvestigation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of investigation¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English investigacio(u)n from Latin investīgātiōn- (stem of investīgātiō ). See investigate, -ion

Synonym Study

Investigation, examination, inquiry, research express the idea of an active effort to find out something. An investigation is a systematic, minute, and thorough attempt to learn the facts about something complex or hidden; it is often formal and official: an investigation of a bank failure. An examination is an orderly attempt to obtain information about or to make a test of something, often something presented for observation: a physical examination. An inquiry is an investigation made by asking questions rather than by inspection, or by study of available evidence: an inquiry into a proposed bond issue. Research is careful and sustained investigation.

Example Sentences

A 2022 Times investigation revealed a massive staffing shortage was leading to significant injuries for both youths and probation officers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As the investigation unfolds, the detectives study an array of arrival and departure times, distances and dates on multiple train lines, airlines and a ferry line.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In a statement, the public prosecutor's office asked that Boluarte be barred from leaving Peru while under investigation on charges including money laundering.

Read more on Barron's

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Department of Homeland Security are on the scene assisting with the investigation, Davis said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A councillor has been suspended by the Labour Party and is under investigation over a racist comment he made on Facebook.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• analysis 
• case 
• examination 
• hearing 
• inquiry 
• inspection 
• probe 
• research 
• review 
• scrutiny 
• search 
• study 
• survey 

When To Use

What does investigation mean?

An investigation is a thorough search for facts, especially those that are hidden or need to be sorted out in a complex situation. The goal of an investigation is usually to determine how or why something happened.Investigations are usually formal and official. The word is commonly associated with police investigations of criminal activity, but it is used in many other contexts to refer to the process of investigating—systematically finding and examining evidence.Example: After a six-month investigation, this news organization uncovered widespread corruption.