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

Above all else, Nanette is an interrogation of comedy as an art form, a bracing inquiry into the ways that comedians use the medium to mask personal truths. — Rachel Syme, The New Republic, "Nanette Rewrites the History of Art," 3 July 2018 The videos led to three congressional inquiries and criminal investigations in at least 15 states. — Paul Elias, The Seattle Times, "California judge will keep Planned Parenthood names sealed," 11 Feb. 2019 Send your inquiry to wiiw@hearst.com or mail them to: Country Living Magazine 2901 2nd Avenue South, Suite 270 Birmingham, AL 35233 ATTN: Antique Appraisals. — Country Living, "Contact the Editors and Get Help for Your Country Living Subscription," 4 Jan. 2019 Several other firms that filed liens did not respond to inquiries. — Jim Brunner, The Seattle Times, "Dino Rossi has done well in real estate, but his work is also fodder for campaign opponents," 16 Oct. 2018 Clarks Summit University, for example, did not respond to several inquiries from Teen Vogue asking whether the school had sought a Title IX exemption. — Charlotte West, Teen Vogue, "How Title IX Exemptions Allow Religious Colleges to Discriminate Against LGBTQ Students," 15 Oct. 2018 So far the results of my egg inquiry could be distilled as (1) fat, (2) caviar. — Tamar Adler, Vogue, "Why Pastured Eggs Are the Perfect Food," 13 Sep. 2018 American officials in China declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries. — Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, "More Americans Evacuated From China Over Mysterious Ailments," 30 June 2018 Republican lawmakers have threatened to punish Justice and FBI officials with contempt actions and even impeachment if the agency doesn't comply with a demand for documents related to the Clinton and Trump inquiries. — Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY, "Deputy AG Rosenstein, FBI Director Wray grilled by House panel on Clinton probe," 28 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

21 Mar 2019

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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