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private investigator
noun
: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (such as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)
Synonyms
Examples of private investigator in a Sentence
She hired a private investigator to follow her husband.
the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator
Recent Examples on the Web
Cassidy's attorney hired a private investigator, who tracked the man down to Astoria, Queens, and called him on the phone.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 23 May 2024
Many public school districts have hired private investigators to find evidence that can lead to parents being charged with a felony and a four-year prison sentence.
—Cooper Conway, Orange County Register, 21 May 2024
And while Murdoch and Morgan were kept from the lawsuit, Fancourt said the claimants could bring new accusations against additional journalists and private investigators allegedly involved in the snooping.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2024
The prince alleges that he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN) titles The Sun and the now-defunct News Of The World, which closed in 2011.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'private investigator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1940, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of private investigator was
in 1940
Dictionary Entries Near private investigator
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/private%20investigator. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
private investigator
noun
: a person who does detective work and is not a member of a police force
Legal Definition
private investigator
noun
: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)
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