person of interest

noun phrase

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested

Examples of person of interest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision released the names of the persons of interest, including guards from the adjacent Mid-State and Marcy facilities. Deena Zaru, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2025 Missing California mom’s family digs for homicide ‘cover-up or cleanup’ as police eye persons of interest. Fox News Staff, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025 The finale episode sees Cupp round up her top 11 persons of interest and embark on a walk-through of the White House residence — recreating the events of the night Mr. Wynter was killed. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025 New Orleans police released a photo and video of a person of interest in the case. Between the lines: Hazel told Fox News on Saturday that the krewe invited the Cybertrucks to escort the parade marshals. Ivana Saric, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for person of interest

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of person of interest was in 1937

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Person of interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/person%20of%20interest. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Legal Definition

person of interest

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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