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

Derived Forms

• inˌvestiˈgational, adjective

Other Words From

• in·vesti·gation·al adjective
• prein·vesti·gation noun
• rein·vesti·gation 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

The fines are the biggest sanction issued by the ministry, and follow an investigation into the budget airline industry.

From BBC

Earlier, as Florida’s attorney general, Bondi declined to join a lawsuit regarding fraud at Trump University, claiming that she had received few complaints; an Associated Press investigation found that there had in fact been scores.

From Salon

The payment was made at a time when Bondi's office was reportedly considering whether to open a fraud investigation into Trump University.

From BBC

The fraud investigation never happened, although Bondi denied the decision was influenced by the donation she received.

From BBC

When officers could not locate her, a missing person investigation was launched, which led to the discovery of her body in the boot of a car on Brisbane Road, Ilford.

From BBC

Related Words

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