beg the question

phrase

1

: to elicit a question logically as a reaction or response

the quarterback's injury begs the question of who will start in his place

2

: to pass over or ignore a question by assuming it to be established or settled

Examples of beg the question in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Given that Royan was settled twenty-five hundred years ago, the architecture begs the question of why, instead of being an archaeological site, the town is studied for its total 1950s style. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

Per city code, the mayor of Evanston receives a yearly salary of about $25,000, begging the question of who can afford to pursue the job with so little compensation and such weighty responsibilities. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Blasi is clearly in form and showed it Tuesday, begging the question whether this may force her team to let her race for a stage. — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

This, of course, begs the question, how likely are the measures to pass? — Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for beg the question

• indigestion
• congestion
• digestion
• ingestion
• suggestion
• gestion