query

1 of 2

noun

que·​ry ˈkwir-ē How to pronounce query (audio) ˈkwer- How to pronounce query (audio)
plural queries
1
2
: a question in the mind : doubt
3

query

2 of 2

verb

queried; querying

transitive verb

1
: to ask questions of especially with a desire for authoritative information
2
: to ask questions about especially in order to resolve a doubt
3
: to put as a question
4
: to mark with a query
querier noun
Choose the Right Synonym for query

ask, question, interrogate, query, inquire mean to address a person in order to gain information.

ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

Examples of query in a Sentence

Noun I have a query about my order. The librarian responded to my query. Verb They conducted a survey in which several hundred people were queried about their dietary habits. it seems odd that someone would want two stoves, so you'd better query that order
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
In 2023, Coppola finally explained what attracted him to Keaton, responding to a query from the actress herself. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025 Users typed a url in the navigation bar, or typed a search query in that same space—a feature that Opera first pioneered but which was soon copied by Google—and the browser takes the user to that web address or a search results page, which displays a list of links. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
Simon Properties, which operates many of South Florida’s most popular malls including Dadeland, Sawgrass Mills, The Falls, Brickell City Centre and Miami International Mall didn’t respond to several Miami Herald queries about its gun policy. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 Immergut queried of Deputy Assistant Attorney General Eric Hamilton on Sunday. Callum Sutherland, Time, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for query

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of earlier quere, from Latin quaere, imperative of quaerere to ask

First Known Use

Noun

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of query was in 1614

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/query. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

query

1 of 2 noun
plural queries

query

2 of 2 verb
queried; querying
1
: to ask questions about especially in order to clear up doubts
2
: to put as a question
queried the matter to their teacher
3
: to ask questions of
queried the professor

More from Merriam-Webster on query

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