question

noun ques·tion \ ˈkwes-chən , ˈkwesh- \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: question in a Sentence

Definition of question

1 a (1) : an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge

(2) : an interrogative sentence or clause

b : a subject or aspect in dispute or open for discussion : issue; broadly : problem, matter

c (1) : a subject or point of debate or a proposition to be voted on in a meeting

(2) : the bringing of such to a vote

d : the specific point at issue

2 a : an act or instance of asking : inquiry

b : interrogation; also : a judicial or official investigation

c : torture as part of an examination

d (1) : objection, dispute

true beyond question

(2) : room for doubt or objection

little question of his skill

(3) : chance, possibility

no question of escape

See question defined for English-language learners

See question defined for kids

Examples of question in a Sentence

Can I ask you a personal question?
I don't understand the question.
Are there any more questions?
In answer to your question, our next meeting will be on Friday.
The essay questions on the test were easy.
There are 10 multiple-choice questions on the exam.
The exam included several questions on current events.
The question arose as to who would be responsible for caring for our grandmother.
I expected him to ask where I worked, but the question never came up.
The key question in solving the mystery is, how did the murderer enter the house?

Recent Examples of question from the Web

Lafontant was to answer questions about the July 6-8 riots that followed the government's attempt to raise fuel prices by up to 51 percent as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund.

— ezequiel abiu lopez and evens sanon, chicagotribune.com, "Haiti's prime minister resigns after plan to raise fuel prices sparked deadly protests," 14 July 2018
Local bug experts will answer questions and several educational booths will offer entertaining presentations.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Lions Club member receives fellowship award ...community news," 14 July 2018
After a recent three-hour nature session at Oak Ridge Prairie, dozens of children can intelligently answer that question at length.

— sue ellen ross, Post-Tribune, "Discovering what lives beneath the surface," 13 July 2018
If there were any doubt Neuqua Valley’s middle infield wouldn’t tail off, senior second baseman Nick Taylor and junior shortstop Nolan Clifford answered that question.

— blake baumgartner, Naperville Sun, "Middle men: Nick Taylor and Nolan Clifford answer call but Neuqua Valley loses in eight innings," 13 July 2018
His attorney, Joe Goldberger, would only answer questions by email and began by arguing Berrada should not be the subject of any story.

— kevin crowe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'He'll evict you in a minute.' Landlord quietly becomes a force in Milwaukee rental business...and eviction court," 13 July 2018
Cox will draw on his years of experience using the wisdom of Shakespeare to answer life’s questions.

— patrick neas, kansascity, "KC Fringe Festival brings an adventurous spirit to classical themes," 13 July 2018
To get a complete picture, scientists need to answer some basic questions: Where are the warm waters, exactly?

— kasha patel, Smithsonian, "How Data-Gathering Seals Help Scientists Measure the Melting Antarctic," 13 July 2018
Sign up for the Backchannel newsletter Gaming Riot Games Lead Designer Greg Street once again uses the power of Twitter to answer some common questions about League of Legends.

— julie muncy, WIRED, "Fortnite Season 5 Is Here, and the Rest of the Week in Games," 13 July 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of question

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin quaestion-, quaestio, from quaerere to seek, ask

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

question Synonyms

Synonyms

challenge, complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick, objection, protest, remonstrance, stink;

Near Antonyms

willingness;

approval, sanction;

acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent;

compliance, obedience;

cavil, quibble;

argument, conflict, debate, dispute, quarrel, squabble;

censure, criticism;

defiance, disobedience, rebellion;

distrust, distrustfulness, dubiety, incertitude, indetermination, misdoubt, mistrust, mistrustfulness, reservation, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainty;

qualmishness, unease, uneasiness;

reluctance, unwillingness;

question

verb

Definition of question

questioned; questioning; questions

transitive verb

1 : to ask a question of or about

2 : to interrogate intensively : cross-examine

3 a : doubt, dispute

b : to subject to analysis : examine

intransitive verb

: to ask questions : inquire

—

questioner

noun

See question defined for English-language learners

Examples of question in a Sentence

The reporter questioned her at length on her life as the First Lady.
The witness was questioned by the defense.
I could tell that she was questioning my decision.
He began to question his ability to do the job.
I trusted him and I never questioned what he told me.
The lawyer questioned the truth of the witness's statement.
He began to question whether the things she had said were really true.

Recent Examples of question from the Web

The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has issued five warning letters since 2015 questioning whether Berrada companies were violating state landlord-tenant law.

— kevin crowe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'He'll evict you in a minute.' Landlord quietly becomes a force in Milwaukee rental business...and eviction court," 13 July 2018
When the woman complains to a Cook County Forest Preserves officer that the man is harassing her and questioning her citizenship, the officer doesn't respond.

— don babwin, Fox News, "Man charged with hate crime over Puerto Rican shirt incident," 13 July 2018
Documents show that some career employees in the Bureau of Land Management questioned whether drillers were being penalized adequately for major violations of environmental regulations.

— zack colman, Scientific American, "A Trump Oil Boom Could Transform This Rocky Mountain Landscape," 13 July 2018
During the recount, campaign observers were allowed to challenge individual ballots, sending questioned ballots to the county’s Board of Elections for an official ruling.

— pamela wood, baltimoresun.com, "Recount under way in Baltimore County executive primary race," 12 July 2018
Since the allegation surfaced, many Duran Duran fans have come out in support of Le Bon and are questioning Hariri's story.

— tresa baldas, Detroit Free Press, "Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon denies sexually groping woman: It's 'simply untrue'," 12 July 2018
The board is made up of three Republicans and two Democrats, and at least three members, two Republicans and one Democrat, must be present to vote on any questioned ballots.

— kate magill, Howard County Times, "Howard council incumbent's loss confirmed in ballot recount," 11 July 2018
One mom can attest to that after United Airline officials reportedly questioned her 8-month-old daughter’s car seat use on a recent flight.

— lindsey murray, Good Housekeeping, "Should You Bring Your Kid's Car Seat on a Plane? It Depends.," 11 July 2018
Tyra hasn't yet responded to any tweets questioning Lindsay's possible role, but according to Freeform, the movie will premiere during the channel's 25 Days of Christmas special.

— lauren rearick, Teen Vogue, ""Life Size 2" Has Started Filming With a Lead Who Isn't Lindsay Lohan," 9 July 2018

First Known Use of question

15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

question Synonyms

Phrases

call in question (or into);

Synonym Discussion of question

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

QUESTION Defined for English Language Learners

question

noun

Definition of question for English Language Learners

: a sentence, phrase, or word that asks for information or is used to test someone's knowledge
: a matter or problem that is being discussed : a subject or topic
: doubt or uncertainty about something

question

verb

Definition of question for English Language Learners

: to ask (someone) questions about something
: to have or express doubt about (something)

QUESTION Defined for Kids

question

noun ques·tion \ ˈkwes-chən \

Definition of question for Students

1 : something asked

Please answer my question.

2 : a topic discussed or argued about

The book raises several questions.

3 : objection 1

He obeyed without question.

4 : doubt or uncertainty about something

I trust him without question.

5 : possibility 1, chance

There was no question of escape.

question

verb

Definition of question for Students

questioned; questioning

1 : to ask questions of or about

Lawyers questioned the witness.

2 : to have or express doubts about

They questioned his loyalty.

Law Dictionary

question

noun ques·tion

legal Definition of question

1 : a particular query directed to a witness — compare interrogatory

— hypothetical question \ˌhī-pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl-\

: a question directed to an expert witness (as a physician) that is based on the existence of facts offered in evidence and the answer to which is an opinion to be considered in light of the evidence

Note: Modern rules of evidence have lessened the need for a hypothetical question setting forth all of the facts to be assumed in answering the question. An expert witness may state an opinion based on data or facts considered reliable in his or her field even if not already disclosed or not admissible as evidence.

— leading question

: a question so framed or presented as to suggest a particular answer

leading questions should not be used on the direct examination of a witness except as may be necessary to develop the witness' testimony
—Federal Rules of Evidence Rule 611(c)

Note: Leading questions are permitted in cross-examination and in direct examination of an adverse witness or one who is a child or has a communication disorder.

2 : a particular matter or issue that is in dispute, uncertain, or to be inquired into

— certified question

1 : a question of state law that may determine the outcome of a case pending in a federal court and that is submitted by the federal court to the state's highest court when there is no controlling state precedent

2 : a question of law submitted to a federal or state court by a lower court or tribunal

— federal question

: a question that falls under the jurisdiction of a federal court because it requires a resolution of the construction or application of federal law — see also federal question jurisdiction at jurisdiction

— political question

: a question that the court declines to consider because it involves a political matter that is not justiciable without infringing on the powers of the executive or legislative branch or is not accompanied by guiding policy or discoverable and manageable standards for resolving it — see also political question doctrine

— question of fact

: a question that depends on an examination of factual matters, is usually decided by a jury, and is usually not considered on appeal

— question of law

: a question that depends on an examination of law rather than fact, is decided by a judge rather than by a jury, and may be examined on appeal

3 : a proposition submitted to a vote (as in a referendum)