investigation

[in-ves-ti-gey-shuh n] /ɪnˌvɛs tɪˈgeɪ ʃən/
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
1400-50; late Middle English investigacio(u)n < Latin investīgātiōn- (stem of investīgātiō). See investigate, -ion
Related forms
investigational, adjective
preinvestigation, noun
reinvestigation, noun
Synonyms
1, 2. scrutiny, exploration. 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.
Examples from the web for investigation
  • The investigation reportedly revolved around allegations.
  • Four years after the investigation began there have still been no convictions.
  • The investigation into the fatal accident led to major design changes for future launch vehicles.
  • Studying the genome of this lineage and comparing it with randomly selected bonobos might be a productive line of investigation.
  • It seems an obvious line of investigation that would put the anatomical arguments to rest.
  • None of this matters, however: the results of the federal prosecutors' investigation matters.
  • They disbursed money during the investigation as a necessary step in building the case.
  • The point of it all is to allow more precise investigation of how human gut bacteria work.
  • Carrion would not speculate about motives or suspects, saying only that the local prosecutor was conducting the investigation.
  • investigation into fishing industry reveals a decade of violations.
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
investigational, adjective
Word Origin and History for investigation
n.

early 15c., from Old French investigacion (14c.), from Latin investigationem (nominative investigatio) "a searching into, a searching for," noun of action from past participle stem of investigare "to trace out, search after," from in- "in, into" (see in- (2)) + vestigare "to track, trace," from vestigium "footprint, track" (see vestige).