To save this word, you'll need to log in.
in·qui·ry | \ in-ˈkwī(-ə)r-ē 
, ˈin-ˌkwī(-ə)r-ē; ˈin-kwə-rē , ˈiŋ-; ˈin-ˌkwir-ē \
, ˈin-ˌkwī(-ə)r-ē; 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
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms for inquiry
Synonyms
- delving,
- disquisition,
- examen,
- examination,
- exploration,
- inquest,
- inquisition,
- investigation,
- probation,
- probe,
- probing,
- research,
- study
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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web That’s a lot of money to give to institutions that have shown themselves contemptuous of conservative values and the cause of free inquiry.
—
Frederick M. Hess, National Review, "Don’t Fix Colleges; Build Them," 17 Sep. 2020 Navajo Nation leadership on Tuesday called for a congressional inquiry and investigation into the recent deaths of two tribal members in separate incidents at Fort Hood Army Base in Killeen, Texas.
—
Emily Wilder, The Arizona Republic, "Navajo Nation demands answers in deaths of 2 tribal members at Fort Hood," 9 Sep. 2020 Strzok was asked about the criminal inquiry into the Trump-Russia investigators, which is being overseen by Attorney General William Barr, during a Tuesday interview with Tony Dokoupil on CBS’s This Morning.
—
Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, "'If he finds the truth, I’m not worried': Peter Strzok says he hasn’t been interviewed by John Durham," 8 Sep. 2020 Thank you for your commitment to inquiry and truth.
—
Star Tribune, "Read "thank you" messages to Minnesotan scientists and researchers written by you.," 28 Aug. 2020 The court documents released on Monday reflected concerns within the Trump Organization that the attorney general’s civil inquiry could develop into a criminal investigation.
—
Danny Hakim, New York Times, "N.Y. Attorney General Asks Judge to Order Eric Trump’s Testimony," 24 Aug. 2020 Previous experience in journalism is not necessary, but applicants should possess a love of writing, inquiry and debate.
—
The Economist, "Internship," 22 Aug. 2020 The remainder of the interview hasn’t been remembered as well, but Kennedy’s response to Mudd’s next inquiry was just as awful.
—
Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, "Joe Kennedy’s Utterly Pointless, Utterly Consequential Campaign," 17 Aug. 2020 So, use inquiry and curiosity to understand their world and broaden your perspective.
—
San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Businesses, ditch diversity at your own peril," 16 Aug. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
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
nounin·qui·ry | \ ˈin-ˌkwī-rē , -kwə- \
, -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
nounin·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
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on inquiry
What made you want to look up inquiry? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Homophone Quiz
- In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a
______.
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share inquiry
Time Traveler for inquiry
The first known use of inquiry was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century