person of interest

noun phrase

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested

Examples of person of interest in a Sentence

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 world in brief Person named in student's disappearance A young man has been identified as a person of interest in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who disappeared last week while enjoying spring break with friends in the Dominican Republic. Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2025 Police released surveillance video of a person of interest wearing a green hoodie and black leather jacket. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025 Brown was arrested in Maryland earlier this year after becoming a person of interest in a triple, non-fatal shooting in Prince George County. William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025 Hillsborough police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a person of interest and suspect after a police officer was shot in a police department parking lot on Feb. 22. Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for person of interest

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of person of interest was in 1937

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Cite this Entry

“Person of interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/person%20of%20interest. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Legal Definition

person of interest

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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