inquiry

noun

in·qui·ry | \in-ˈkwī(-ə)r-ē,

ˈin-ˌ;ˈin-kwə-rē, ˈiŋ-;ˈin-ˌkwir-ē

plural inquiries

Definition of inquiry

1 : a request for information

2 : a systematic investigation often of a matter of public interest

3 : examination into facts or principles : research

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about inquiry

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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

Hope that the feeling of invincibility that Amazon sometimes exhibits throws it off track or stirs up real regulatory inquiries? — Jason Del Rey, Recode, "This is the Amazon everyone should have feared — and it has nothing to do with its retail business," 26 July 2018 Authorities did not state why Satterfield was already in custody, and PEOPLE’s inquiry was not immediately answered. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE.com, "Missing Family of 3 Is Found Dead and Burned, Police Believe — and Man Seen Driving Mom's Car Is Charged," 18 June 2018 Even Senator Jeff Flake, in the end, voted for Kavanaugh, despite the elevator pitch that allegedly convinced him to demand a further FBI instigation, an inquiry that was still born from the moment it was conceived. — Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "The Week in Washington: “Look At Us!”," 7 Oct. 2018 The other restaurants targeted in the inquiry are Dunkin’ Donuts, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Little Caesars, Panera Bread, and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. — Rachel Abrams, New York Times, "‘No Poach’ Deals for Fast-Food Workers Face Scrutiny by States," 9 July 2018 One friend of Obama’s recalled that after a 45-minute meeting that avoided the subject of Trump entirely, the pair ducked into an aide’s office and saw on television that the president was claiming to have been absolved in the Russia inquiry. — Gabriel Debenedetti, Daily Intelligencer, "Where Is Barack Obama?," 24 June 2018 The symposium also offered an interactive forum for exploring approaches to imbue professional nurses and interprofessional partners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to successfully engage in clinical inquiry. — Valerie Sweeten, Houston Chronicle, "INSPIRE symposium offers RN insight, engagement," 10 June 2018 Now that the bill is caught up in an FBI inquiry, Rosenberger's close associates in the Ohio House now are rushing to pass it. — Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati.com, "FBI investigation: Scandal-tarred bill could move ahead in Ohio House," 6 June 2018 That pardon, especially, was seen as a sign that Mr. Trump might be willing to pardon former aides caught up in the Mueller inquiry. — CBS News, "Who gets a Trump pardon?," 1 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inquiry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

28 Nov 2018

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Time Traveler for inquiry

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

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More Definitions for inquiry

inquiry

noun

English Language Learners Definition of inquiry

: a request for information

: an official effort to collect and examine information about something

: the act of asking questions in order to gather or collect information

See the full definition for inquiry in the English Language Learners Dictionary

inquiry

noun

in·qui·ry | \ˈin-ˌkwī-rē,

-kwə-\

plural inquiries

Kids Definition of inquiry

1 : the act of asking a question or seeking information On further inquiry, we learned his name.

2 : a request for information The inquiry is confidential.

3 : a thorough examination an official inquiry

inquiry

noun

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

plural inquiries

Legal Definition of inquiry

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

on inquiry

: having notice that inquiry should be made