question

noun

ques·tion | \ ˈkwes-chən,

ˈkwesh-\

Definition of question

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(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

2a : 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

question

verb

questioned; questioning; questions

Definition of question (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to ask a question of or about

2 : to interrogate intensively : cross-examine

3a : doubt, dispute

b : to subject to analysis : examine

intransitive verb

: to ask questions : inquire

Other Words from question Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about question

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Synonyms & Antonyms for question

Synonyms: Noun

interrogative, problem

Synonyms: Verb

challenge, contest, dispute, impeach, oppugn, query

Antonyms: Verb

accept, believe, embrace, swallow

Choose the Right Synonym for question

Verb

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 question in a Sentence

Noun

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?

Verb

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 on the Web: Noun

There's no question about it: Working out at home has some seriously convenient benefits. — Alexa Tucker, SELF, "5 Things You Need to Build a Home Gym for Less Than $100, Plus 7 Optional Add-Ons," 4 Jan. 2019 Captive State answers the question by setting up a world already a decade deep into its otherworldly occupation. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "The 2019 Sci-Fi Film Guide," 3 Jan. 2019 That's the question that led to impressive ratings for the show's debut and—despite the ridiculousness of it all—will likely lead people to tune in again. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "'The Masked Singer' Is Fox's Outrageous New Show That No One Can Stop Watching," 3 Jan. 2019 Restoration Hardware's Napa Valley warehouse asks the same question by incorporating an over 100-year old, two-story wine vault into it's massive design compound. — Sara Rodrigues, House Beautiful, "Restoration Hardware's New California Compound Is A Wine Lover's Dream," 2 Jan. 2019 While federal action on climate change is unlikely anytime soon, even the president of the United States can’t dodge the question. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Climate and energy news in 2018 actually wasn’t all bad," 1 Jan. 2019 The researchers included questions to weed out those who misunderstood the scenario. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "People adopt made-up social rules to be part of a group," 28 Dec. 2018 Position zero is helpful, depending on how the question is asked. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "What’s next for virtual assistants like Alexa? Maybe buying stuff for you automatically.," 24 Dec. 2018 With the cult-like following that the Gaines' have attracted, their series finale begged the question: Now what? — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "Joanna Gaines’ New Book 'Homebody' Reminds Us Why There’s No Place Like Home," 8 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Upon questioning the other Hart kids, investigators learn the children are often grounded, spanked, or sent to bed without food. — Glamour, "Broken Harts, Episode 5: 'Owies'," 8 Jan. 2019 But as writers started questioning the integrity of Boris' design, evidence of his fraud starting cropping up on social media. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "Dancing Robot at Russian Event Turns Out to Be a Man in a Costume," 12 Dec. 2018 The series follows a set of kids at an elite prep school as they get questioned over a murder that happened on school grounds (yikes!). — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Here's Everything We Know About "Elite" Season 2," 19 Oct. 2018 Of course, Kris had to question why Kylie trusted her sister with the scissors and her answer was adorable. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner Talked About the Time Kendall Tried to Cut Her Hair," 19 Sep. 2018 On Thursday, Fasano questioned SSC’s financial health, and the state Department of Economic Development’s vetting of the company, which is set to receive a $10 million state loan to renovate its new location. — Rebecca Lurye, courant.com, "How Seven Stars Cloud Plans To Spend $283M In West Hartford," 14 July 2018 Barrett — a longtime Notre Dame Law School professor who became a federal appeals judge last fall — excited social conservatives with her testimony when questioned about her Roman Catholic faith in her nomination hearings last year. — Anchorage Daily News, "Trump picks Kavanaugh for Supreme Court," 10 July 2018 That criticism came to a head in 2018, when users and regulators started to seriously question the company’s data practices, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg was summoned to Washington to explain it all before Congress. — Kurt Wagner, Recode, "Facebook still hasn’t launched a big privacy feature that Mark Zuckerberg promised more than seven months ago," 17 Dec. 2018 See: a recent photo that Eddie Scarry, a writer for the Washington Examiner, took of Ocasio-Cortez and proceeded to share on Twitter in order to question her socio-economic status. — Abby Gardner, Glamour, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Calls Out Sexist Double Standards: Paul Ryan Was Elected at 28 and Called 'a Genius' While I'm a 'Fraud'," 11 Dec. 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.

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Dictionary Entries near question

question and answer session

questionary

Statistics for question

Last Updated

10 Jan 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for question

The first known use of question was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for question

question

noun

English Language Learners Definition of question

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of question (Entry 2 of 2)

: to ask (someone) questions about something

: to have or express doubt about (something)

See the full definition for question in the English Language Learners Dictionary

question

noun

ques·tion | \ ˈkwes-chən

Kids Definition of question

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : something asked Please answer my question.

2 : a topic discussed or argued about The book raises several questions.

3 : objection sense 1 He obeyed without question.

4 : doubt or uncertainty about something I trust him without question.

5 : possibility sense 1, chance There was no question of escape.

question

verb

questioned; questioning

Kids Definition of question (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to ask questions of or about Lawyers questioned the witness.

2 : to have or express doubts about They questioned his loyalty.

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)