investigation

UK: /ɪnˌvɛstɪˈgeɪʃ^ən/

US: /ɪnˌvɛstɪˈgeɪʃən/

US: (in ves′ti gā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•ves•ti•ga•tion /ɪnˌvɛstɪˈgeɪʃən/   n. 

1. the act or process of investigating or the condition of being investigated:
   [uncountable] a matter for investigation.
   [countable] police investigations.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•ves•ti•ga•tion  (in ves′ti gā′shən), n. 

1. the act or process of investigating or the condition of being investigated.
2. a searching inquiry for ascertaining facts;
   detailed or careful examination.

• Latin investīgātiōn- (stem of investīgātiō). See investigate, -ion
• late Middle English investigacio(u)n 1400–50

in•ves′ti•ga′tion•al, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. scrutiny, exploration.
  Investigation, examination, inquiry, research express the idea of an active effort to find out something. An investigation is a systematic, minute, and thorough attempt to learn the facts about something complex or hidden; it is often formal and official:
  an investigation of a bank failure.
  An examination is an orderly attempt to obtain information about or to make a test of something, often something presented for observation:
  a physical examination.
  An inquiry is an investigation made by asking questions rather than by inspection, or by study of available evidence:
  an inquiry into a proposed bond issue.
  Research is careful and sustained investigation.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

investigation / ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeɪʃən/ noun

1. the act or process of investigating; a careful search or examination in order to discover facts, etc