inquiry

noun

in·​qui·​ry in-ˈkwī(-ə)r-ē How to pronounce inquiry (audio)
ˈin-ˌkwī(-ə)r-ē;
ˈin-kwə-rē How to pronounce inquiry (audio)
ˈiŋ-;
ˈin-ˌkwir-ē
plural inquiries
1
: a request for information
2
: a systematic investigation often of a matter of public interest
3
: examination into facts or principles : research

Examples of inquiry in a Sentence

Discovered when Galileo Galilei turned the first astronomical telescope to the heavens in 1610, the Jovian system has been a focus of scientific inquiry ever since. Chad Galts, Brown Alumni Monthly, November 1996
… his head was tilted at the precise angle of inquiry as to where he should put Muhlenberg's drink. Theodore Sturgeon, E Pluribus Unicorn, (1953) 1965
… distinguish between legitimate legislative inquiry into the acts of a man … and illegitimate inquiry into opinions … Norman Thomas, New Republic, 28 Feb. 1955
She refused to answer inquiries from the media about her marriage. The board ordered an inquiry to determine whether the rules had been followed. Further inquiry showed that he had visited the city twice before. The police are pursuing a new line of inquiry.
Recent Examples on the Web As a next step in the inquiry, the agency has already requested in-depth information from AT&T concerning the cause, effect and corporate response to the incident, FCC spokesman JonathanUriarte said. Aaron Gregg, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 David Anders led that inquiry, which verified Sterling’s voice on an audio recording and determined the Clippers tried to mislead investigators, destroy audio and delete text messages. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Schiff made national headlines for leading the first impeachment inquiry into Trump and appeared to resonate with Democratic voters worried about a second Trump term. Marisa Lagos, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 Experian is the first credit bureau that will report Apple Pay Later loans, and the information will eventually be visible to lenders performing hard inquiries. Bill Hardekopf, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The complaint was transferred to the Second Circuit, in New York, where Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston, an appointee of George W. Bush, began an inquiry. Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, 29 Feb. 2024 An impeachment inquiry aide said the committee is planning to hold a public hearing eventually. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2024 The British government’s inquiry is still ongoing, and some politicians have come in for a lot of flak. Rob Reddick, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2024 The inquiry into López Obrador's 2018 campaign was closed, according to the Times, after a U.S. investigation into Mexico's former defense secretary set off a diplomatic row. The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inquiry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see inquire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of inquiry was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near inquiry

Cite this Entry

“Inquiry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquiry. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inquiry

noun
in·​qui·​ry in-ˈkwī(ə)r-ē How to pronounce inquiry (audio) ˈin-ˌkwī(ə)r- How to pronounce inquiry (audio)
ˈin-kwə-rē,
ˈiŋ-;
ˈin-ˌkwi(ə)r-ē
plural inquiries
1
a
: the act of inquiring
learn by inquiry
b
: a request for information
make inquiries at the station
2
: a search for truth or knowledge
3
: a careful examination : investigation

Legal Definition

plural inquiries
1
: a request for information
such doubt as would cause a reasonable person to make an inquiry
2
: a systematic official investigation often of a matter of public interest especially by a body (as a legislative committee) with power to compel testimony

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