informant

noun

in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce informant (audio)
: a person who gives information: such as
a
b
: one who supplies cultural or linguistic data in response to interrogation by an investigator

Examples of informant in a Sentence

The police were alerted to the plot by a paid informant. We learned the language with the help of a native informant.
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.
Revelations that Tarrio had acted as an informant for law enforcement in 2012 and 2014 caused further divides in the group. Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025 The investigation never uncovered evidence of a key claim — that both father and son accepted a bribe — and the former FBI informant who made the claim pleaded guilty last year to fabricating the claim. Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025 Last week a federal judge sentenced the former informant, Alexander Smirnov, to six years in prison. Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025 The report also detailed Weiss' investigation into a former FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to lying to FBI agents and providing them a fake story about the Bidens. Robert Legare, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for informant 

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of informant was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near informant

Cite this Entry

“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

informant

noun
in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce informant (audio)

Legal Definition

informant

noun
in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce informant (audio)
: one who informs against another
specifically : one who makes a practice especially for money of informing police of others' criminal activities

More from Merriam-Webster on informant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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