investigation

[ in-ves-ti-gey-shuhn ]
See synonyms for investigation on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the act or process of investigating or the condition of being investigated.

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

Origin of investigation

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English investigacio(u)n from Latin investīgātiōn- (stem of investīgātiō ). See investigate, -ion

synonym study For investigation

1, 2. 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.

Other words for investigation

Other words from investigation

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use investigation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for investigation

investigation

/ (ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeɪʃən) /


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

Derived forms of investigation

  • investigational, adjective

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