inquiry

noun in·qui·ry \ in-ˈkwī(-ə)r-ē , ˈin-ˌ ; ˈin-kwə-rē , ˈiŋ- ; ˈin-ˌkwir-ē \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Examples: inquiry in a Sentence

Definition of inquiry

plural inquiries

1 : examination into facts or principles : research

2 : a request for information

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

See inquiry defined for English-language learners

See inquiry defined for kids

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 of inquiry from the Web

President Trump's administration excels at muddying the water, and the arrest of a former Senate aide, following an inquiry in which federal agents seized records from a New York Times reporter, might be its best work yet.

— callum borchers, Washington Post, "How a reporter’s romance with her source muddies the FBI’s seizure of her records," 8 June 2018
The New York Times reported Thursday evening that one of its reporters, Ali Watkins, had been contacted by federal investigators about the inquiry into Wolfe.

— laura jarrett, CNN, "Trump says prosecutors 'caught a leaker' after former Senate staffer charged with lying to investigators," 8 June 2018
President Donald Trump’s administration excels at muddying the water, and the arrest of a former Senate aide, following an inquiry in which federal agents seized records from a New York Times reporter, might be its best work yet.

— callum borchers, Philly.com, "How a reporter's romance with her source muddies the FBI's seizure of her records," 8 June 2018
Kilimnik is the first new defendant to be indicted in the sweeping federal inquiry into Russian electoral meddling since February.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "Mueller adds new charges for Paul Manafort and his longtime Russian associate.," 8 June 2018
The school found no wrongdoing and a source confirmed the meeting is not connected to an NCAA inquiry that surfaced in January nor the move to terminate Kevin Ollie as men’s basketball coach in March.

— dom amore, courant.com, "UConn Investigated, Notified NCAA Of Assistant Basketball Coach's Meeting With Two Indicted In FBI Investigation," 8 June 2018
But for Republicans, no issue has consumed more oxygen than the Justice Department inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

— nicholas fandos, New York Times, "Paul Ryan Dismisses Trump ‘Spy’ Charge as G.O.P. Shows Signs of Resistance," 6 June 2018
This Week,’’ was asked about a letter sent by Trump’s legal team early this year to Special Counsel Robert Mueller III saying the president can’t be forced to testify as part of Mueller’s inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Giuliani: Trump probably has the power to pardon himself," 3 June 2018
Plus, an inquiry into the location of Harry and Meghan’s honeymoon.

— josh duboff, Vanities, "Breaking Down Kate, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte’s Unexpected Public Outing," 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.

Origin and Etymology of inquiry

see inquire

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

inquiry Synonyms

Synonyms

delving, disquisition, examination, exploration, inquest, inquisition, investigation, probation, probe, probing, research, study;

Related Words

quest;

audit, check;

checkup, diagnosis, inspection;

hearing, interrogation, trial;

feeler, query, question;

poll, questionary, questionnaire, survey;

challenge, cross-examination, going-over, grilling, quiz;

rehearing, reinvestigation;

self-examination, self-exploration, self-questioning, self-reflection, self-scrutiny, soul-searching;

INQUIRY Defined for English Language Learners

inquiry

noun

Definition of inquiry for English Language Learners

: 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

INQUIRY Defined for Kids

inquiry

noun in·qui·ry \ ˈin-ˌkwī-rē , -kwə- \

Definition of inquiry for Students

plural inquiries

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

Law Dictionary

inquiry

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

legal Definition of inquiry

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

— on inquiry

: having notice that inquiry should be made