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 defense argues these lines of inquiry were unrelated to the felony charges and intended to discredit the protesters’ political beliefs.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
Clinton is testifying before the House Oversight Committee on Friday after the committee subpoenaed both the former President and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as part of the panel’s inquiry into Epstein.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Clinton became the first former president forced to testify to Congress, as part of the inquiry into how Epstein built his wealth and a network of rich and powerful friends.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Traffic on the Henry Hudson Parkway was halted on both sides for several hours as the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad launched an inquiry into the fatal crash.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inquiry
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
Clinton is testifying before the House Oversight Committee on Friday after the committee subpoenaed both the former President and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as part of the panel’s inquiry into Epstein.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Clinton became the first former president forced to testify to Congress, as part of the inquiry into how Epstein built his wealth and a network of rich and powerful friends.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Traffic on the Henry Hudson Parkway was halted on both sides for several hours as the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad launched an inquiry into the fatal crash.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
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 Mar. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
