inquiry

noun

in·​qui·​ry in-ˈkwī(-ə)r-ē 

ˈin-ˌkwī(-ə)r-ē;

ˈin-kwə-rē 

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

Synonyms

• delving
• disquisition
• examen
• examination
• exploration
• inquest
• inquisition
• investigation
• probation
• probe
• probing
• research
• study

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

Manuscript Submissions, Letters to the Editor, and Books for Review: Editorial inquiries can be sent via email (to [email protected]) or regular mail (to Foreign Affairs, Editorial Department, 58 East 68th Street, New York NY 10065). —Foreign Affairs, 7 June 2024

The Justice Department will lead the inquiry into Nvidia's potential antitrust violations, while the FTC will focus on the activities of OpenAI and Microsoft. —Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 6 June 2024

Washington — The Republican leaders of the three House committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Biden sent criminal referrals to the Justice Department on Wednesday recommending charges against Hunter Biden and James Biden for making false statements to Congress. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 5 June 2024

Calls and inquiries to several raw pet food companies including Jeffrey’s Natural Pet Foods in San Francisco, BJ’s Raw Pet Food in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Instinct Raw Pet Food in St. Louis went unanswered. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

see inquire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing inquiry

• court of inquiry

Kids Definition

inquiry

noun

in·​qui·​ry in-ˈkwī(ə)r-ē  ˈin-ˌkwī(ə)r- 

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

inquiry

noun

in·​qui·​ry ˈin-ˌkwīr-ē, in-ˈkwīr-ē; ˈin-kwə-rē, ˈiŋ- 

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