inquiry

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

|Updated on: 8 Aug 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

One of the two people recently exposed to the Novichok nerve agent in Britain died in hospital, prompting police to launch a murder inquiry.

— The Economist, "Politics this week," 12 July 2018
These full-time positions are part of AAA’s customer service team and require employees to answer inquiries, provide recommendations, and make travel reservations for AAA members.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "AAA Club Alliance Is Hiring Work-From-Home Positions With Full Benefits," 11 July 2018
National Realty didn’t immediately respond Thursday to an inquiry seeking comment.

— joseph n. distefano, Philly.com, "U.S. cites three contractors for N3rd St. worker death," 9 July 2018
In the meantime, advocates say that most of the same problems that led to the inquiry still exist and worry that a single monitor — overseeing 50,000 CPS students with IEPs — won’t be enough to fix them.

— vikki ortiz, chicagotribune.com, "CPS students denied special education services amid 'cycle of chaos,' parents say," 19 June 2018
The approach is more inquiry-based and less structured than a traditional classroom, which is more likely to motivate the children to explore and discover the topic outside of a classroom or camp setting, Washington said.

— rafael guerrero, Elgin Courier-News, "Traveling summer camp lets Elgin middle-schoolers experience STEM," 8 June 2018
Each tool’s there to whet a prospect’s appetite and invite inquiries for additional information.

— rob weinberg, Pomerado News, "This DIY was a mistake!," 31 May 2018
That’s not going to happen for the obvious reason, so to further the inquiry, fellow cop Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) volunteers to pose as Ron for the face-to-face encounter.

— todd mccarthy, The Hollywood Reporter, "'BlacKkKlansman': Film Review | Cannes 2018," 15 May 2018
Officials with the Attorney General’s Office did not respond to an inquiry about the case late Monday.

— greg moran, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Interim DA Stephan's daughter facing DUI charges, records show," 23 Apr. 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