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)

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
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 Tess Monaghan series follows the investigative pursuits of Tess Monaghan, a former reporter turned private investigator in Baltimore. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025 Underneath were blurred images of Brit allegedly pre- and post-plastic surgery, which were acquired by a private investigator. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 7 Apr. 2025 During the event, Moore displayed poster boards of Eady, which were blurred by Bravo, and said they were provided to her by a private investigator. Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 With Bosch now retired from the LAPD and working as a private investigator, Welliver reflects on his Bosch legacy while ushering in the new season and sharing how the finale will help launch the next show in the franchise canon, the Renée Ballard spinoff. Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for private investigator

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of private investigator was in 1940

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/private%20investigator. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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