interrogation

noun

in·​ter·​ro·​ga·​tion in-ˌter-ə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce interrogation (audio)
plural interrogations
: the act of interrogating someone or something: such as
a
: a formal and systematic questioning
She conducted a skillful interrogation of the witness.
It was old-fashioned interrogation and eavesdropping that first led U.S. intelligence agents to the … plotters.Michael Isikoff
And during interrogation, instead of just listening for inconsistencies in what is said, agents are being taught to look for minute physical reactions on the faces of people being questioned.Ann Davis et al.
b
: the sending of an electronic signal intended to trigger a particular response from something (such as a transponder)
The airborne equipment measures the time between the interrogation and the return signal, and converts this time measurement into a mileage reading on our instrument panel, on either a dial or digital counter.Joseph W. Benkert
interrogational adjective

Examples of interrogation 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.
In an interrogation room, detectives grill present-day Jenner in a deposition. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025 The Socialist Party building at Londres 38, in the heart of Santiago, was acquired and turned into a secret interrogation and torture centre, known as the Yucatán Barracks. Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025 Worthington was not the type to sit on the fence, not even when under interrogation from the big boss. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 But his behavior during his interrogation with Taverner edges too far into the absurdly inept. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for interrogation

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interrogation was in 1534

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Cite this Entry

“Interrogation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogation. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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