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.
Prosecutors say some of that information, including details on informants and sensitive investigations, was included in his unpublished manuscript. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 Before a warrant is issued, an officer must attest that the request for it is not based on information from informants who have provided false information that has led to negative raids in the past, the bill states. Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025 Outside of bugging homes and offices, as well as torturing and imprisoning individuals, one of the main ways the Stasi went about doing this was by forcing citizens to act as informants. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025 Everything unravels for her after a rotten run-in with the law turns her into an informant. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 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

Cite this Entry

“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 31 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!