investigation

/ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeɪʃən/ Formal

Say it: in-ves-tih-GAY-shun

1. noun The formal or systematic process of examining the facts of a situation, incident, or crime to establish the truth.
The police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
2. noun A detailed and careful study of a subject to discover new information or reach a new understanding.
Her investigation into the migratory patterns of monarch butterflies took over a decade.

📖 Seen in the wild

The police launched a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.
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✏️ investigation in a sentence

The Senate committee's investigation uncovered widespread corruption.
We need to conduct a thorough investigation before we can make any decisions.
According to the official investigation, the accident was caused by mechanical failure.
His book is a fascinating investigation of ancient Roman society.
The company is under investigation for alleged tax fraud.
A full-scale investigation was immediately initiated by the authorities.
The goal of the scientific investigation is to test the hypothesis.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

inquiry examination probe study scrutiny analysis review exploration

inquiry · suggests a formal process focused on asking questions rather than examining physical evidence.

examination · implies a very close and detailed inspection of something or someone.

probe · suggests a deeper, more penetrating search, often into something hidden or sensitive.

study · typically used in an academic or scientific context for systematic research.

Opposites: cover-up, neglect, assumption, guesswork

🌱 Where it comes from

Investigation tracks its origins to the Latin word 'investigare', meaning 'to trace out' or 'to search after'. This itself comes from 'vestigium', meaning 'footprint' or 'track'. The word still carries this original sense of following clues and evidence to uncover the truth.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

under investigationlaunch an investigationcriminal investigationthorough investigationinternal investigationongoing investigation

Investigation implies a structured, official, or systematic process of finding facts. While you might 'look into' why your internet is slow, a company would 'conduct an investigation' into a major data breach. The word carries a serious, formal tone and is the standard term in legal, police, scientific, and corporate contexts.

Word family: investigate, investigator, investigative, investigatory

💬 Quick answers

What does investigation mean?

An investigation is the formal or systematic process of examining facts to discover the truth, often in relation to a crime, problem, or scientific question.

What's the difference between an investigation and an inquiry?

An investigation is a broad search for facts that can involve examining evidence and interviewing people. An inquiry is more specific, typically focused on gathering information by asking questions, often through a formal hearing or panel.

Is 'investigation' a formal word?

Yes, 'investigation' is generally a formal word used in official, legal, academic, and professional contexts. In casual conversation, someone might say they are 'looking into' something instead.

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