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
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In addition to subjecting them to electric shocks for interrogations, guards would force prisoners to stand in uncomfortable positions and then hit them in the genitals or knock them to the ground, according to Shyshko. Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025 Some insurers now require departments to adopt early warning systems, improve interrogation protocols, or demonstrate compliance with best practices as a condition of coverage. Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Because of a gag order, little more is known of the inquiry, except this: Last Wednesday evening, Urich and Feldstein were taken in for interrogation. Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2025 Crime scene photos, body camera videos and interrogation tapes were released about a month after the women were sentenced. CBS News, 26 Mar. 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 15 Apr. 2025.

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