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

This specific move is not unprecedented—Harry Truman waved $100 million in front of Denmark in 1946, and the State Department opened (and then closed) an inquiry into buying Greenland and Iceland in 1867. — Nick Martin, The New Republic, "The Colonizers Have Turned Their Eyes to Greenland," 16 Aug. 2019 Recent demonstrations have called for an independent inquiry into the city’s police and its alleged abuse of power. — Fox News, "Chinese military vehicles stashed across Hong Kong border in soccer stadium, satellite images appear to show," 14 Aug. 2019 Facebook wrote today in a letter to Rep. David Cicilline, D-RI, who has championed an antitrust inquiry into the company. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "How TikTok could fail," 7 Aug. 2019 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, are also among those calling for an inquiry. — Ledyard King, USA TODAY, "Majority of House Democrats now back a Trump impeachment inquiry, adding pressure to Nancy Pelosi to act," 3 Aug. 2019 Support for an impeachment inquiry has jumped by more than two dozen Democrats since former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testified on July 24 about his probe of Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election. — Reuters, The Mercury News, "Majority of House Democrats back impeachment proceedings," 2 Aug. 2019 Slightly more than 100 representatives have indicated support for an impeachment inquiry. — oregonlive.com, "Citing ‘lies’ and ‘abuses,’ Ron Wyden calls for Trump impeachment inquiry," 1 Aug. 2019 Democratic lawmakers have come under increasing pressure as more than 90 House Democrats, including Himes, have called for an impeachment inquiry in the House, according to a tally by CNN. — Christopher Keating, courant.com, "Rep. Jim Himes tells Mueller Russian ‘attack on our democracy’ helped lead to Trump’s election," 24 July 2019 More than eighty House Democrats have now called for an inquiry. — Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, "Donald Trump’s Idea of Selective Citizenship," 21 July 2019

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

22 Aug 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