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.
The actual murder sounds much more like a spontaneous crime of passion than the work of a veteran hitman exacting punishment on a guy suspected of being an FBI informant. Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025 Gledhill allegedly told the informant he was buried somewhere north of their Cottonwood Heights home, per the detention hearing. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025 In one conversation, the informant allegedly discussed plans to re-sell the guns to rival Norteño and Sureño gangs with Roberts and Thurston. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025 Guillermo, now a CIA informant, continues to force his son to help him with covert missions, which complicates his life. Marta Balaga, Variety, 18 Feb. 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 16 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
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