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
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.
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
The New York Times, which first broke the news of Ryan's resignation, reported on Thursday that the Justice Department was pressuring Ryan to step down in order to resolve a civil rights inquiry into the university.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Sustainable Beef didn't immediately reply to an inquiry for more information about the company.
—Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025
For example, customer service teams might simulate scenarios where an AI assistant provides initial responses to customer inquiries, allowing team members to practice identifying when to accept, refine or override these responses.
—Rebecca Jones, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The Los Angeles Police Department said a break-in occurred at a house in the Los Feliz neighborhood, in response to a CNN inquiry, but did not name the victim.
—Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inquiry
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Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Sustainable Beef didn't immediately reply to an inquiry for more information about the company.
—Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025
For example, customer service teams might simulate scenarios where an AI assistant provides initial responses to customer inquiries, allowing team members to practice identifying when to accept, refine or override these responses.
—Rebecca Jones, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The Los Angeles Police Department said a break-in occurred at a house in the Los Feliz neighborhood, in response to a CNN inquiry, but did not name the victim.
—Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inquiry
Cite this Entry
“Inquiry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquiry. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inquiry
noun
in·qui·ry
in-ˈkwī(ə)r-ē
ˈin-ˌkwī(ə)r-
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
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