investigationin‧ves‧ti‧ga‧tion /ɪnˌvestɪˈɡeɪʃən/ ●●● W2 AWL noun 
The investigation continued for nearly three years.investigation into The authorities are planning to launch a full-scale investigation into the crash.investigation of Baker demanded an investigation of the district attorney’s office. a criminal investigation A private detective was hired to conduct the investigation.2[uncountable] the act of investigating somethinginvestigation of the investigation of computer fraudunder investigation (=being investigated) The whole issue is still under investigation.THESAURUSinvestigation a process in which the police or another organization try to find out the truth about a crime or accident: · Following a major police investigation, two men were arrested.· The investigation into the causes of the air crash are continuing.inquiry an official process to find out why something happened, which usually takes several months or years: · Local people are calling for an inquiry into the accident.· An independent inquiry found serious shortcomings at the children’s home.case a matter that police or officials are trying to find out information about, especially so that it can be dealt with in a court of law: · The case has never been solved.· The police say it is one of the most puzzling cases they have had to deal with.probe an investigation in which many questions are asked to find out the truth about something – used especially in journalism: · The TV show featured a probe into charges charged by high street banks.inquest a legal investigation to find out why someone died: · The inquest heard that Mr Swan was poisoned.survey a process in which people are asked questions in order to find out about their opinions or about their behaviour: · They did a survey to find out the most popular pop star.· Based on a survey of 250 companies, the report says that ‘ over two thirds of companies expect operating costs to increase as a result of addressing environmental issues.autopsy British English a medical examination of a dead person’s body, to find out why that person died: · If she died of a drug overdose, it would show up in the autopsy.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a criminal investigation
- Following a major police investigation, two men have been arrested.
- Prison officials are carrying out a full investigation after two prisoners escaped from a prison vehicle.
- The investigation into the cause of the air crash is continuing.
- the investigation of drug smuggling
- The Senator promised a thorough investigation into the fund-raising activities of both parties.
THESAURUS
a process in which the police or another organization try to find out the truth about a crime or accident: · Following a major police investigation, two men were arrested.· The investigation into the causes of the air crash are continuing.
an official process to find out why something happened, which usually takes several months or years: · Local people are calling for an inquiry into the accident.· An independent inquiry found serious shortcomings at the children’s home.
a matter that police or officials are trying to find out information about, especially so that it can be dealt with in a court of law: · The case has never been solved.· The police say it is one of the most puzzling cases they have had to deal with.
an investigation in which many questions are asked to find out the truth about something – used especially in journalism: · The TV show featured a probe into charges charged by high street banks.
a legal investigation to find out why someone died: · The inquest heard that Mr Swan was poisoned.
a process in which people are asked questions in order to find out about their opinions or about their behaviour: · They did a survey to find out the most popular pop star.· Based on a survey of 250 companies, the report says that ‘ over two thirds of companies expect operating costs to increase as a result of addressing environmental issues.
British English a medical examination of a dead person’s body, to find out why that person died: · If she died of a drug overdose, it would show up in the autopsy.
Longman Language Activatorthe process of finding out about something a process by which the police or another official organization tries to find out the truth about a crime or accident: · Following a major police investigation, two men have been arrested.investigation into: · The investigation into the cause of the air crash is continuing.carry out an investigation: · Prison officials are carrying out a full investigation after two prisoners escaped from a prison vehicle.full/thorough investigation: · The Senator promised a thorough investigation into the fund-raising activities of both parties.
also enquiry British a series of official meetings at which people try to find out why something happened: · The inquiry will be supervised by a senior judge.inquiry into: · Local people are calling for an inquiry into the accident.hold an inquiry: · An inquiry will be held to discover why the school's educational record is so bad.
a legal process in Britain to find out why someone died: · The inquest heard that Mr Bovary was found hanging by a rope in his bedroom.inquest into: · an inquest into the death of a 54-year-old womanhold an inquest: · An inquest will be held into the actor's death.
/post mortem British a medical examination of a dead person's body, done in order to officially find out why the person died: · If she died of a drug overdose, it will show up in the autopsy.· The post mortem revealed that the man had been shot in the back.
to try and find out about an accident, crime etc to try to find out the truth about a crime, an accident, or a problem, especially by using careful and thorough methods: · Police are investigating an explosion at the city store.· We sent our reporter, Michael Gore, to investigate.· The commission will investigate the cause of the accident, focusing especially on safety issues.
especially British to ask people questions about a person, crime, accident etc in order to find out information about it: · A reporter who tried to make inquiries was arrested.make inquiries/enquiries into/about: · Police are making inquiries into the theft of a quantity of explosives.· He had made a few inquiries and learnt that she inherited the money from her father.
to try to find out the facts of a situation in order to explain why it happened: · "How did Blake manage to escape?" "That's something that we will have to go into."· The headteacher promised the parents that he would be going into the matter of bullying very thoroughly.
to carefully and thoroughly try to find out all the facts about a situation, especially when someone wants to keep these a secret: · The Secretary of State is probing claims of election fraud.probe for: · Reporters began probing for more information.probe into: · The press have been criticised for probing too deeply into the actor's private life.
if someone in an official position looks into a problem or bad situation, they try to find out more about it so that the situation can be improved: · The manager promised to look into my complaint.· Police are looking into the possibility that the bomb warning was a hoax.· Callahan hired me to look into the accident.
if someone solves a crime or a mystery, they get all the information they need so that they can explain exactly what happened: · Detectives are trying to solve the murder of a young girl.· Officials hope the Navy will solve the mystery of four bombs that are missing from the wreckage of a military jet.
if a person, organization etc is under investigation, the police are trying to find out if they are involved in a crime or illegal activity: · A health club is currently under investigation by Boston detectives.· Several of the company's executives are under investigation.
WORD SETSagent, nounbaton, nounbeat, nounbobby, nounbody armour, nounbody search, nounbook, verbchief constable, nounchief inspector, nounchief superintendent, nounCID, the, commander, nouncommissioner, nouncomposite, nounconstable, nounconstabulary, nouncop, nouncopper, nouncop shop, nouncruiser, noundetective, noundragnet, nounFBI, the, flying squad, nounFraud Squad, nounfrisk, verbgendarme, nounguard dog, nounhighway patrol, nounhomicide, nouninformant, nouninspector, nounInterpol, nouninvestigation, nounlaw enforcement agent, nounlawman, nounmanor, nounMetropolitan Police, the, MI5, nounmissing person, nounMountie, nounmugshot, nounnab, verbnail, verbnarc, nounnark, nounnick, verbnightstick, nounofficer, nounoperation, nounpaddy wagon, nounPanda car, nounpatrol, nounpatrol car, nounpatrolman, nounpig, nounplain-clothes, adjectiveplastic bullet, nounpolice constable, nounpolice department, nounpolice dog, nounpolice force, nounpoliceman, nounpolice officer, nounpolice station, nounpolicewoman, nounprecinct, nounquell, verbquestion, verbradar trap, nounraid, nounraid, verbrank, nounrap sheet, nounriot police, nounroadblock, nounScotland Yard, search warrant, nounsheriff, nounshield, nounsnout, nounspecial agent, nounSpecial Branch, nounspecial constable, nounsquad, nounsquad car, nounstate trooper, nounstation house, nounstore detective, nounsupergrass, nounsuperintendent, nountraffic cop, nountrooper, nountruncheon, nounwarrant, nounwater cannon, nounWPC, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a criminal investigation A private detective was hired to conduct the investigation.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The BBC promised a full investigation. The investigation will be led by Inspector Scarfe. They are leading a campaign to warn teenagers about the dangers of drug abuse. Interviewees need to be ready for some searching questions. an undercover investigationCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
a criminal investigation A private detective was hired to conduct the investigation.· The two deaths are the subject of an accident inquiry.· Accident investigations often take months.
· Relatives have called for an inquiry into the causes of the plane crash.
· The police will carry out an investigation into what actually happened.
· The police will carry out an investigation into what actually happened.
· Experts conducted an investigation into the causes of the crash.
(=when a possible crime is investigated)· The FBI is conducting a criminal investigation into the bombing.
The BBC promised a full investigation. The investigation will be led by Inspector Scarfe. They are leading a campaign to warn teenagers about the dangers of drug abuse.· A murder investigation is underway after a woman’s body was found in a tunnel.
· Despite a police investigation, no arrests were made.
Interviewees need to be ready for some searching questions. an undercover investigation· This was counter-productive in alienating those sectors of the community whose co-operation was essential to criminal investigation.· It is true that warrants to the police in criminal investigations may be renewed only for one month.· Torture is also routine in criminal investigations, even for the most petty offense.
· How royal conflicts could engage these various interests is best seen through a detailed investigation of one particular crisis.· The association's own quantity surveyor and marketing department made detailed investigations.· The action follows detailed investigations carried out by the board last month.· Fleischmann and Hawkins were making the detailed investigations.· The detailed investigation of selected planning departments involves interviews with key personnel.· He realized the need for a static locomotive-testing plant where detailed scientific investigations could be made.· Hannah was a thing to be explored, dissected through detailed empirical investigation.· This information should be the subject of a detailed investigation as a follow-up stage.
· Pride of place in this endeavour was given to systematic and properly grounded empirical investigation.· The particular blend of instrumentality and expressiveness for given individuals is a matter for empirical investigation.· The second kind has to do with the conceptual coherence of the theory that the empirical investigation is designed to support.· The empirical investigations of Modigliani and Miller 2 were conducted on examples of oil and electric utility companies.· Patient and painstaking empirical investigation would reveal the optimum measure of reform.· They comment on, gloss, and interpret his writings, and spend too little time in empirical observation and investigation.· What this means is that there is no way that any hypothesis drawn from Marxist theory can be disproved by empirical investigation.· Hannah was a thing to be explored, dissected through detailed empirical investigation.
· The VitaPro contract is among several awarded by the prison agency that are now the focus of state and federal criminal investigations.· The convictions capped a two-year federal investigation that showed the ex-officers accepted payoffs for protecting the drug shipments.· But political fisticuffs may be less worrisome for him than the mess created by the indictments and the continuing federal investigations.· The soft drink deal was placed on hold last year after the Postal Service Board of Governors learned of the federal investigation.· Woodward placed a quick call to a source working on the federal investigation.· Zimmermann was the target of a federal investigation for his role in creating a publicly available cryptography program called Pretty Good Privacy.· Traficant, who has a number of constituents alleging problems with the implants, has been calling for federal investigations since 1995.
· The Commission for Racial Equality can carry out a formal investigation and issue a non-discrimination notice.· Ossig concedes that a formal investigation was not done, saying there was not enough evidence to justify it.· The commission has confirmed to Community Care that it is carrying out another formal investigation under section 6 of the Charities Act.· He is being placed under formal investigation for allegedly concealing losses at a Paribas unit in 1991.· The results of this formal investigation are very significant for those employers who insert mobility clauses into employees' contracts of employment.· With that, the formal investigation of charges centering on a college course Gingrich once taught will come to an end.· It is crucial that there are formal epidemiological investigations of diseases in all post-conflict areas.
· There has got to be a full investigation.· A full investigation was to take place.· Coronary vasoconstriction has been suggested by several case-reports but full cardiac investigations have seldom been carried out.· We must complete full investigations prior to commencing remedial repairs.· Select committees were set up by the House with full powers of investigation.· These were issued by Innocent's officials without a full investigation of the facts.· A full investigation has been started.· He promised, however, that there would be a full investigation and said that the results would be made public.
· Fred's attitude of surly non-cooperativeness makes further investigation difficult.· Presence of an osmolal gap should prompt further investigation as to its cause.· However, if the test shows any abnormality you may need further investigation or treatment.· He was not cited pending further investigation.· In some cases you will need to be seen for further investigation and/or treatment.· The men, all under 25, were questioned yesterday at Middlesbrough police station before being released on bail pending further investigations.· The surgeon was relieved of the need for further investigation of the swelling.· Significant further research and investigation of the possibilities and benefits to be derived from such an approach are recommended. 14.4.
· A lack of independent investigation into complaints.· The debate in Congress comes against a backdrop of complaints over the high cost of independent counsel investigations.· So does Mr Burgreen, who asked Mr Miller's office to start conducting independent investigations into all future police shootings.· First, they say, independent counsel investigations are too open-ended and too expensive.· Today police began an independent investigation into these allegations.· Bockius, to conduct an independent investigation, Murphy said.· The reports said the independent investigation team was still looking for the flight data recorder.
· Polisario sources claimed that in a recent internal investigation he had been found guilty of corruption and diversion of funds.· An internal investigation last year failed to turn up the culprit, according to Disneyland spokesman Tom Brocato.· The roster, till rolls and security cameras were examined in Thresher's own internal investigation.· He has made no public comment since the school began an internal investigation in November regarding recruiting.· After an internal investigation on Monday, the Bafta council rejected allegations of vote-rigging.· The most far-reaching internal investigation in Phoenix police history cost four officers their jobs Friday for purchasing banned rifles under false pretenses.· The practice was stopped immediately it was discovered and is now under internal investigation.· The Justice Department began an internal investigation, and Republicans began aiming for Coffey.
· Files of ongoing investigations already are sealed.· Eugene Watts, R-Galloway, and three lobbying groups also were indicted in the ongoing investigation.· The names of the other males were not released, Trujillo said, because of an ongoing investigation.
· Psychic phenomena seemed to cry out for, and lend themselves to, scientific investigation.· That is not an argument for stopping scientific investigation.· The Bible as holy literature, the oracles of the Logos, has become for them an inanimate object of scientific investigation.· The problem needed to be handed over to scientific investigation.· Curiosity, as I have already remarked, is essential to inquiry: without it, no scientific investigation would even begin.· Firstly, systems science which deals with the scientific investigation of systems and with theory in various sciences.· For many people, this practical issue will overshadow the refinements of scientific investigation, but this would be a pity.· In all directions it seemed that scientific investigation was triumphing over ignorance, and scientific analysis replacing rule of thumb.
· The complaints must be made to the police themselves in the first instance and all subsequent investigations are undertaken by police officers.· The subsequent 15-month investigation was carried out by officers from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary.· He very soon diversified, however, and his subsequent career included investigations in many areas.· A subsequent military investigation placed the blame squarely on city officials.· The Museum of Transport is housed in the Kelvin Hall and subsequent investigation revealed that 3 cars were infested.· If we had no rights of participation in the subsequent investigation, we would have no reliable means of obtaining the information.
· They were far from being a pretty sight but he forced himself to carry out as thorough an investigation as he could.· He resolved upon a more thorough investigation of the crater by a trained field geologist.· The aim should be to carry out a prompt and thorough investigation.· A thorough police investigation is being conducted into conduct at the school and former pupils will be interviewed.· Sabotage was suspected but after a thorough investigation was never proved.· We supported the demands for a thorough and credible investigation by independent and impartial experts.· But before any work starts, Swindon Friends of the Earth wants a thorough investigation into the possible dangers.· The study has been going since early 1998, and is the most thorough investigation into speed limiters ever carried out.
NOUN· The Department of Transport's marine accident investigation branch has started an inquiry.· I expect shortly to receive reports from the marine accident investigation branch of a number of recent fishing vessel accidents.· There remain the specialists who look after the flight recorder side of aircraft accident investigation.· Air accident investigations will take months.· There are 30 courses dedicated to specific safety issues, such as handling portable gas cylinders, food hygiene and accident investigation procedures.· The truth is that aircraft accident investigation should be carried out in a completely impartial and objective manner.· The wreckage was then taken to the air accident investigation unit at Farnborough.
· That undertaking seemed to be developing into a commitment to conduct a private murder investigation in a foreign country.· But the movie tells the wrong story, getting detoured into a murder investigation whose solution is far too obvious.· Read in studio Voice over Detectives have started a murder investigation after part of a human torso was found in a lake.· C., man during the murder investigation.· Panorama on the Cardiff Three revealed the irregularities of the police approach to the murder investigation.· Marek asked how much progress she had made in her murder investigation.· He says he's also sueing the police because he's bitter about his treatment during the murder investigation.· Was this a normal or reasonable way of conducting murder investigations?
VERB· Tomorrow Aileen Taylor begins a two part investigation into a problem many of us have encountered.· The girl told another lawyer about their prior encounter, and police began an investigation.· He dutifully ceased to send presents, and instead began a systematic investigation of her circumstances.· He has made no public comment since the school began an internal investigation in November regarding recruiting.· Line is paid out as the ferret begins its investigation.· It appeared that no aircraft were in danger in either incident, but the National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation.· In 1829 a Royal Commission of Enquiry, appointed because of recurrent annual deficits, began an investigation of the colony's affairs.· Reynolds returned on the next available plane and immediately began a quiet investigation.
· The Commission for Racial Equality can carry out a formal investigation and issue a non-discrimination notice.· A Home Office pathologist and forensic science team are at the scene, carrying out a full investigation.· The commission has confirmed to Community Care that it is carrying out another formal investigation under section 6 of the Charities Act.· The Committee took just under 12 months to carry out its investigation.· After talking to Jean, Doug had carried out some investigations of his own.· Q: Well, do you think the Church is the correct body to carry out such an investigation?· Is he aware that I have been carrying out my own investigations, including a trip through the channel?
· Now, the police and trading standards are conducting an investigation into the matter.· The lawyer said he will use the arraignment delay to conduct his own investigation.· However the FBI-style agency will not conduct its own investigations or prosecutions, although many Whitehall insiders believe this could eventually happen.· The judge then ordered the lead plaintiffs' lawyer in the class-action suit to conduct an investigation.· That undertaking seemed to be developing into a commitment to conduct a private murder investigation in a foreign country.· Bill Thomas, R-Calif., shortly before the House voted 224-187 to authorize an eight-member panel to conduct the investigation.· The Commission has a discretion to conduct an investigation in order to collect information and evidence pertinent to the request for assistance.
· He continued his investigation and on 12 April 1991 presented a very full report to the Islands' Presbytery.· But political fisticuffs may be less worrisome for him than the mess created by the indictments and the continuing federal investigations.· Coroner, Lester Madrell adjourned the hearing for police to continue their investigations.· His connection to an Arkansas land deal known as Whitewater continues under investigation.· But detectives are continuing their investigations.· She has been a key figure in the continuing investigations into the Whitewater land deal in Arkansas.· Local police are continuing their investigations into the incident.· And also tomorrow, Alison MacDonald will continue her investigation into the tricky relationship between society and young children.
· Oklahoma coach John Blake suspended four football players following an investigation of a fight at a Norman area restaurant.· The action follows detailed investigations carried out by the board last month.· Weld claims he followed up with an investigation.· There followed a much publicised investigation, and in March 1988, Spens was charged.· The city decided to file a lawsuit against Lucky following the investigation by the county department.· Abuse of justice may follow delay in investigation:.· The governing body must be able to demonstrate that it has acted on reasonable grounds following reasonable investigations.
· The project will involve investigation of how object naming operates in adults.· The tutor will provide instruction in methodologies involved in an investigation and in the interpersonal skills which may be required.· The answer to this question involves an investigation of the construction of meaning in interaction processes.· She couldn't be involved in a police investigation.· This might involve them in consulting books and other sources, or it might involve practical investigations.· Stephen Lawrence's parents are suing 42 officers involved in the failed investigation of his murder, including Sir Paul.· As a result part of the administration of some benefits can involve an investigation of a relationship between people sharing accomodation.
· The National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation of both incidents.· The Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation and will look at the pilots reports.· The complaints prompted three different agencies to launch investigations.· It's launched an investigation into what went wrong last night.· The agency has launched 340 criminal investigations against tax resisters since 1993, winning 162 convictions.· Police have launched an investigation and they're appealing for witnesses.· Gloucestershire Trading Standards have launched an investigation.
· Objects ought to lead to investigations about the society that produced them and the people who used them.· Special prosecutor Kenneth Starr, reversing himself after days of criticism, Friday said he would continue to lead the Whitewater investigation.· Det Chief Inspector George Brown, the officer leading the investigation, is still confident the killers will be caught.· They do, however, decide whether to notify the state or federal authorities who lead such investigations.· It also led to an investigation of whether anything said in that review had been noticed by the author.· Y., who is leading the Senate investigation.· As the huge hunt for the bombers continued, Mr Clarke talked to senior officers leading the investigation.· At about the second hour of day I was told that Kenamun would be leading the investigation.
· The failure to order a criminal investigation drew immediate criticism from several policyholders' lawyers.· Home Office officials have ordered an investigation into the case.· After ordering investigations of many others, Texas state prison board chairman Allan Polunsky has a new target: himself.· Sir John has reportedly ordered an investigation into allegations that the unit burgled and burnt down his offices to destroy evidence.· Congress orders investigations, and suddenly the rest of the mainstream media begin covering them as legitimate stories.· Education Secretary John Patten ordered an investigation into huge differences in performance between local authorities.· Amin ordered an investigation, during the period of which I was in a constant terror.
· I agree with the judge that the paper evidence discloses matters which require investigation.· These are issues which require fuller investigation.· Statistical analysis of language requires investigation of corpora to derive probabilistic models of the language.· These other possible connections to income taxation require separate investigation for a fuller picture to be painted.· A policy taken out shortly before a holiday commences immediately followed by a claim under this Section requires careful investigation.· But identifying them, learning about their behaviour and distribution and understanding what makes them tick, requires some enjoyable investigation.· Obviously all claims not requiring the appointment of Loss Adjusters can not be inspected but certain categories require closer investigation than others.· The reasons why this alternative was not adopted in Britain require investigation.
· The Bucharest supreme court has started fresh investigations.· The Home Office will start the investigation next month.· Many primary teachers start investigations of the past by working out from the history of the school, village or local area.· Midlands Electricity has started an investigation into how the fire started.· Roberts called a meeting of the Town Council and he and Cross asked the police to start an investigation.· Read in studio Voice over Detectives have started a murder investigation after part of a human torso was found in a lake.· So does Mr Burgreen, who asked Mr Miller's office to start conducting independent investigations into all future police shootings.· But if the police handle things badly it could ruin my client's reputation and start a lot of unwelcome investigation.
WORD FAMILYnouninvestigationinvestigatoryadjectiveinvestigativeinvestigatoryverbinvestigate
1[countable] an official attempt to find out the truth about or the cause of something such as a crime, accident, or scientific problem: The investigation continued for nearly three years.investigation into The authorities are planning to launch a full-scale investigation into the crash.investigation of Baker demanded an investigation of the district attorney’s office. a criminal investigation A private detective was hired to conduct the investigation.2[uncountable] the act of investigating somethinginvestigation of the investigation of computer fraudunder investigation (=being investigated) The whole issue is still under investigation.THESAURUSinvestigation a process in which the police or another organization try to find out the truth about a crime or accident: · Following a major police investigation, two men were arrested.· The investigation into the causes of the air crash are continuing.inquiry an official process to find out why something happened, which usually takes several months or years: · Local people are calling for an inquiry into the accident.· An independent inquiry found serious shortcomings at the children’s home.case a matter that police or officials are trying to find out information about, especially so that it can be dealt with in a court of law: · The case has never been solved.· The police say it is one of the most puzzling cases they have had to deal with.probe an investigation in which many questions are asked to find out the truth about something – used especially in journalism: · The TV show featured a probe into charges charged by high street banks.inquest a legal investigation to find out why someone died: · The inquest heard that Mr Swan was poisoned.survey a process in which people are asked questions in order to find out about their opinions or about their behaviour: · They did a survey to find out the most popular pop star.· Based on a survey of 250 companies, the report says that ‘ over two thirds of companies expect operating costs to increase as a result of addressing environmental issues.autopsy British English a medical examination of a dead person’s body, to find out why that person died: · If she died of a drug overdose, it would show up in the autopsy.- flyboy
- flyby
- fly-by-night
- fly-by-wire
- flycatcher
- fly-drive holiday
- flyer
- flyfishing
- fly half
- flying
- flying buttress
- flying doctor
- Flying Dutchman, The
- flying fish
- flying fox
- flying officer
- flying picket
- flying saucer
- Flying Scotsman, The
- flying squad
- flying tackle
- fly leaf
- Flymo
- Flynn, Errol
- fly-on-the-wall