inquiry

noun

in·​qui·​ry in-ˈkwī(-ə)r-ē 

ˈin-ˌkwī(-ə)r-ē;

ˈin-kwə-rē 

ˈiŋ-;

ˈin-ˌkwir-ē

plural inquiries

1

: a request for information

2

: a systematic investigation often of a matter of public interest

3

: examination into facts or principles : research

Synonyms

• delving
• disquisition
• examen
• examination
• exploration
• inquest
• inquisition
• investigation
• probation
• probe
• probing
• research
• study

Example Sentences

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

While inquiries into the explosion could never conclusively determine the cause, sentiments about the Spanish were already low. —Maya Wei-haas, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2023

The evidence Hollander provided went missing in the years after prosecutors closed their inquiry. —Vulture, 30 May 2023

Twenty-five complaint inquiry forms mentioned issues with an investigation, ranging from civilians saying officers were not following up on homicide leads to unhappiness with the outcomes of investigations. —Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 30 May 2023

The House’s Committee on General Investigating had initiated an inquiry in March after Paxton and his office asked the legislature for $3.3 million to settle a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by whistleblowers in the office. —Adam Shaw, Fox News, 27 May 2023

For further ticket inquiries or options, ticketholders should reach out to their original point of purchase. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 26 May 2023

The funding request spurred an inquiry by the House ethics committee. —Lauren Mcgaughy, Dallas News, 24 May 2023

The new allegations could delay the verdict in the inquiry over whether Johnson knowingly misled parliament, which lawmakers have been investigating for almost a year. —Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 24 May 2023

The European Data Protection Board said the fine followed an inquiry into Facebook by the Irish Data Protection Commission, which regulates Meta's operations in Europe. —Theara Coleman, The Week, 22 May 2023

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Word History

Etymology

see inquire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing inquiry

• court of inquiry

• court of inquiry

Kids Definition

inquiry

noun

in·​qui·​ry in-ˈkwī(ə)r-ē  ˈin-ˌkwī(ə)r- 

ˈin-kwə-rē,

ˈiŋ-;

ˈin-ˌkwi(ə)r-ē

plural inquiries

1

a

: the act of inquiring

learn by inquiry

b

: a request for information

make inquiries at the station

2

: a search for truth or knowledge

3

: a careful examination : investigation

Legal Definition

inquiry

noun

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

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