previous question

noun

Updated on: 16 Mar 2018

Definition of previous question

: a parliamentary motion to put the pending question to an immediate vote without further debate or amendment that if defeated has the effect of permitting resumption of debate

Recent Examples of previous question from the Web

She has been repeatedly faced with previous questions of trust.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Local News Anchors Are Being Forced to Deliver Pro-Trump Propaganda," 8 Mar. 2018
Finger: The response to the previous question helps to answer this one.

— staff report, San Antonio Express-News, "Writer’s roundtable: Chances of achieving another 50-win season appear to be slipping away," 23 Feb. 2018
Has anyone who is in a position of power in U.S. Soccer, MLS or SUM ever personally profited from one of these marketing relationships mentioned in the previous question?

— grant wahl, SI.com, "Soccer United Marketing Fact/Fiction: Garber Opens Up on SUM's Role in U.S. Soccer, MLS," 25 Jan. 2018
Sasse apologized to Sessions, blaming the soda spill for the commotion on their side of the desk while the previous questions were being discussed.

— julia fair, USA TODAY, "Pop fuss: Ben Sasse spills Dr. Pepper on Ted Cruz during Senate Judiciary hearing," 18 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'previous question.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.