interview

plural interviews

1. obsoleteAn official face-to-face meeting of monarchs or other important figures.First known use 16th–19th c.

   To be present at an interview, as that famous of Henry the Eighth and Francis the First, so much renowned all over Europe[…], no age ever saw the like.

   1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition II, section 2, member 4

   1 more example

   In the ninth century of our era an Arab traveller […] made his way by sea from Bassorah to India and thence to China. Arrived there, he sought an interview with the Chinese emperor, alleging as part of his credentials that he was of the family of the Prophet Muhammad.

   1918, James George Frazer, Folk-Lore In The Old Testament, volume 1, page 215

   Synonyms: audience

2. Any face-to-face meeting, especially of an official or adversarial nature.First known use 17th c.

   1 more example

   (Aaron Burr narrating): It was at about this time that I learned exactly what it was that Hamilton had said of me, and knew that this world was far too narrow a place to contain the two of us. Hamilton's friend made one further attempt to get him off the hook but only further impaled the slanderer by remarking that should Colonel Burr wish to enquire of any other conversation of Hamilton concerning Burr, a prompt and frank avowal or denial would be given. This was too much. I told Van Ness to set a time and place for an interview [referring to a duel with pistols].

   1973, Gore Vidal, Burr, chapter 28

3. A conversation in person (or, by extension, over the telephone, Internet etc.) between a journalist and someone whose opinion or statements he or she wishes to record for publication, broadcast etc.First known use 19th c.

   He has a job interview on Saturday.

   1 more example

   The reporter gave the witness an interview.

4. A formal meeting, in person, for the assessment of a candidate or applicant.First known use 20th c.

   It was a dreadful interview; I have no hope of getting the job.

5. An audition.
6. A police interrogation of a suspect or party in an investigation.First known use 20th c.

present singular third person interviews · participle present interviewing · participle past interviewed · past interviewed

1. transitiveTo ask questions of (somebody); to have an interview.

   He interviewed the witness.

   3 more examples

   A very famous journalist interviewed him.

   The witness was interviewed.

   Professor Solanka paused and turned to face the lounging goddess of the threshold, who proceeded, unnervingly, to interview him.

   2001, Salman Rushdie, Fury: A Novel, London: Jonathan Cape, →ISBN, page 4

2. intransitiveTo be interviewed; to attend an interview.

   She always interviews well.

   1 more example

   When she interviewed with Microsoft in August, she overlooked a small cut in salary and asked about long-term career opportunities — and quality of life.

   2000, U.S. News and World Report: Volume 129, Issues 18-25