1Carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of (an incident, allegation, etc.) so as to establish the truth.

1. 1.1 Carry out research or study into (a subject, typically one in a scientific or academic field) so as to discover facts or information.
   with clause future studies will investigate whether long-term use of the drugs could prevent cancer

   Example sentencesExamples

   • CEOs were called to testify, while a research staff investigated the basic issues involved.
   • The goal of the present study was to investigate the foregoing issues.
   • Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, investigated the issue.
   • It seems we remain a little coy about investigating one of our most basic drives and motivators.
   • Simm plays a human rights researcher investigating the plight of women being trafficked through Europe.
   • Ehrenreich's book investigates the plight of some of the low-wage workers studied by the EPI report.
   • Young people from London, Great Yarmouth and Wolverhampton will also feature in the one-hour special, which investigates the problems faced by teenagers today.
   • Rademacher also wrote important papers on Dedekind sums and investigated many problems relating to algebraic number fields.
   • Choi said the more he investigated the subject of blood types, the more conflicting information he received.
   • Future research needs to investigate whether cost effective strategies can be designed that produce similar results.
   • He was the first of four head teachers to give evidence to the education overview and scrutiny committee, which is investigating the issue.
   • The community services committee has set up a panel of six members to investigate the growing problem of dog mess.
   • Over the next eight weeks this new series explores our body and investigates the current issues facing the world of health and medicine.
   • The number of studies investigating the wealth effects of relocation on valuation of companies is limited.
   • By the study of his teachings one learns to investigate ones different mental states which change very rapidly.
   • Few studies have investigated this subject in relation to Ramadan.
   • A future study investigating a broader range of psychopathologies is clearly warranted.
   • In this way researchers have the opportunity to investigate the subject intensively and profoundly.
   • Although his condition is now stable, Mrs Tonge remains with him at the hospital while doctors investigate the problem.
   • We investigated these issues in a case-control study of acute leukaemia in England.

   Synonyms

   enquire into, look into, go into, look over, probe, explore, scrutinize, conduct an investigation into, conduct an enquiry into, make enquiries about, try to get to the bottom of
2. 1.2 Make inquiries as to the character, activities, or background of (someone)
   everyone with a possible interest in your brother's death must be thoroughly investigated

   Example sentencesExamples

   • We are investigating him for possible links to international gun - running.
   • Why would the French detain him and investigate him under these very strict terrorist laws?
   • He knew, he'd been investigating her for a much longer than a few hours.
   • Mitterrand had picked Magoudi after asking intelligence agents to investigate him.
   • If your job was important, the leaders would investigate the background and performance of your prospective mate.
   • Anyone investigating me could find out that my immediate boss was named Jill.
   • When Tobin Keller begins to investigate her, he is faced with a blank sheet.
   • Previously he was investigated for a number of attacks, drug dealing and assaults.
   • He was investigated by police after Fabiani's personal details appeared on a website in 2000.
   • I though about how to get revenge on him for about a week, and investigated his background.
   • He had his clearance suspended for six months while he was investigated.
   • He had the Shar woman up against the wall and was thoroughly investigating her for concealed weapons.
   • She said she never saw Dr Kerr again and only reported the incident when she learned police were investigating him.
   • He has often been accused of collaboration, though he was investigated and officially cleared after the war.
   • Elem made a note to himself to further investigate the kid's background details.
   • He was investigated by Dr. Stevenson when he was five years old.
   • I don't draw attention to myself in public, and therefore I don't think I'm fair game for anyone to investigate me.
   • Caitlin allowed herself the leisure of investigating him more closely.
   • The Banglamung Immigration Department is also now investigating him for possible visa related legal action.
   • They knew I always tried to keep tabs on any agency investigating me.

   Synonyms

   enquire into, look into, go into, look over, probe, explore, scrutinize, conduct an investigation into, conduct an enquiry into, make enquiries about, try to get to the bottom of
3. 1.3no object Make a check to find out something.
   when you didn't turn up I thought I'd better come back to investigate

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He said he would this week tour Western Province to investigate and have an on-the-spot check of the situation.
   • Sgt Stuart, of the Besson Street Station, is investigating, and said arrests into the murder should be made soon.
   • Does that mean that he's removed from any possibility or just not a suspect at the time you were investigating?
   • Illegal parking on the railway bridge needs investigating.
   • So, what was the FBI originally investigating, exactly, and will that case ever break?
   • Coronet Foods has been aggressively investigating and taking corrective action.
   • Ministry officials said both the Anglican School Board and the school's supervisor were investigating.
   • That is not inappropriate, if key service issues are to be properly tested and investigated.
   • No one was in the car stepping on the brake pedal and after investigating, it became clear to me that for some reason the light was stuck on.
   • Detectives are still investigating, and have set up an e-mail address to encourage further witnesses to come forward.
   • Something is tying that we don't know about, but we are hoping that the FBI is investigating.
   • The FBI and the Transportation Security Administration are investigating.
   • The police at Clontarf are investigating and are appealing for information.
   • Officers from Operation Stealth, which was set up to deal with drug-related gun crime in the city, were investigating.
   • The force received an anonymous tip-off and began investigating.
   • There's also the laboratory in which medicines are tested and illnesses investigated.
   • He said the federal government will be involved in helping and in investigating.
   • The networks are all owned by big corporations, and that makes investigating harder.
   • He phoned the Gardai in Claremorris before investigating further.
   • Tameside council auditors uncovered the payments during a routine check and may ask the Inland Revenue to investigate.