interrogation

IPA/ɪnˌterəˈɡeɪʃn/
KK[ˌɪntˌɛrəɡˈeʃən]IPA/ɪnˌterəˈɡeɪʃn/

interrogation — noun

  • interrogationsingular
  • interrogationsplural

1. a formal situation in which police or other officials question a person for a lo

1.nounB2
Definition

a formal situation in which police or other officials question a person for a long time, often using pressure or direct methods, to get information about a possible crime

Example

After six hours of interrogation, Mr. Watanabe told the police where he hid the money.

collocation: hours of interrogation

Detective Chen reviewed the interrogation footage three times before she wrote her final report.

Common collocations
  • police interrogation
  • under interrogation
  • interrogation room
  • interrogation techniques
  • hours of interrogation
Synonyms
  • questioning

    a general term; less intense and less formal than interrogation

  • cross-examination

    specifically in a courtroom, done by lawyers during a trial

  • grilling

    informal; a long, uncomfortable series of questions

Usage Note

Interrogation implies a structured, often official questioning, unlike casual conversation. In law enforcement, interrogations are typically recorded and the person being questioned is called a 'suspect' rather than a 'witness.'

Common Mistakes

The teacher conducted an interrogation of the class about the homework.
The teacher asked the class about the homework.
Using 'interrogation' for a classroom situation sounds too aggressive and formal.

2. the process of sending commands or signals to a computer system, database, or el

2.nounB2
Definition

the process of sending commands or signals to a computer system, database, or electronic device in order to obtain stored information or check its operating status

Example

The technician ran an automated interrogation of the server to find the missing customer records.

collocation: automated interrogation

Dr. Patel learned from the data interrogation that files were accessed at 2 a.m.

Common collocations
  • data interrogation
  • system interrogation
  • automated interrogation
  • database interrogation
Synonyms
  • data retrieval

    a more general and widely understood term for getting data from a system

  • query

    a specific request sent to a database; more common in everyday computing

Usage Note

In computing contexts, 'interrogation' is an automated process rather than a human one. It is less common than terms like 'query' or 'data retrieval' outside of technical documentation.

Common Mistakes

I did an interrogation of the library catalog to find a book.
I searched the library catalog to find a book.
For simple searches, 'interrogation' sounds overly technical.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe situations where someone is asked questions, but they differ in formality and setting. 'Interrogation' is the most formal and intense — it suggests a structured, often confrontational session conducted by police or officials, with a suspect who may not want to talk. 'Questioning' is the broadest and most neutral term; police can question witnesses or suspects, but teachers can also question students. 'Cross-examination' is limited to courtroom settings, where a lawyer questions a witness from the opposing side. 'Grilling' is informal and emphasises the uncomfortable, prolonged nature of the questioning. For example: 'The police interrogation lasted all night.' vs. 'The journalist faced a tough grilling from the panel.'

interrogation ↗questioning ↗cross-examination ↗grilling ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • interrogation room
  • interrogation technique
  • interrogation method
  • interrogation footage

Phrases

  • hours of interrogation
  • the entire interrogation

Prepositions

  • under interrogation
  • during interrogation

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'interrogatio' (a questioning), from 'interrogare' — 'inter-' meaning 'between' and 'rogare' meaning 'to ask'. The word entered English through Old French in the 14th century, originally referring to any formal questioning, and later developed the specific modern sense of police questioning.