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

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

While there have been a few inquiries, Iggy still hasn't found his forever home. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

The Treasury Department on Wednesday sent an inquiry to the IRS’s acting chief counsel, Andrew De Mello, asking the agency to rescind Harvard’s tax-exempt status, according to The Washington Post. —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025

Carr has opened up an inquiry into CBS over the way that 60 Minutes edited an interview with Kamala Harris last October. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2025

Instead, the department referred inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see inquire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing inquiry

• court of inquiry

Rhymes for inquiry

• expiry
• kyrie
• wiry

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