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Definition of pinkerton

pinkerton

/ˈpɪŋkərtən/
Pin · ker · ton
Plural:pinkertons
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pinkerton Lexical Profile

pinkerton Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

American A private detective or security agent employed by the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, or by extension any private investigator.

Example

"During the late nineteenth century, railroad companies frequently hired a Pinkerton to investigate train robberies and guard valuable cargo."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for pinkerton

• Nearby Words

pink kissing gourami
pink lady's slipper
pink salmon
pinkerton
pinkertons
pinkeye
pinkie

Word Origin & Etymology

Named after Allan Pinkerton (1819–1884), a Scottish-born American detective and spy who founded the Pinkerton National Detective Agency in 1850.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pinkerton. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pinkerton
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