Pinkerton

American

[ping-ker-tuhn] / ˈpɪŋ kər tən /

noun

Allan, 1819–84, U.S. detective, born in Scotland.

Pinkerton British

/ ˈpɪŋkətən /

noun

Allan. 1819–84, US private detective, born in Scotland. He founded the first detective agency in the US (1850) and organized an intelligence system for the Federal States of America (1861)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Under the agreement pending before the mayor-appointed DWP commissioners, Quiñones would receive protection from Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations, with at least one designated armed security agent and a driver.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2025

"We want everyone to be able to make use of the hills, from the local landowners to the people walking and enjoying them," said Dr Pinkerton.

From BBC • Nov. 10, 2024

"So the authority is Pinkerton," Bratt responded, trying to explain that the rule stemmed from Supreme Court precedent.

From Salon • May 30, 2024

He’ll also be heard at the Met as Pinkerton in a revival of the composer’s better-known “Madama Butterfly” that reunites him with his “Macbeth” co-star, the soprano Asmik Grigorian, in April and May.

From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2024

Aunt Kitty may have heard enough, but my ears never tired of listening to Mr. Pinkerton and Detective Webster compliment my performance.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023