question

noun

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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 Phrases Containing question Learn More About question

Synonyms & Antonyms for question

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The school district argued that’s not the county’s decision to make and threatened legal action if the county refused to allow voters to consider the question in August. — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2022 With decades of gardening expertise, Marchese can answer any question about every plant in stock. — Drew Dawson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 May 2022 And then there’s a story that goes with that question. — Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 10 May 2022 The cultural/religious question is a fascinating one. — Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 May 2022 Members of the City Council were unanimous in their support for both the ordinances that will put the sales tax question on the ballot and for passing it. — Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 10 May 2022 With just one day until the State Opening of Parliament, the question remains: Will Queen Elizabeth attend or miss it for just the third time during her reign? — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 9 May 2022 Former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is now the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders and what the Patriots' offense will look like without him remains one of the biggest question marks heading into the season. — Kelsey Conway, The Enquirer, 9 May 2022 Discussing that meeting decades later, Johnson, now a Hall of Famer, was left with one nagging question. — New York Times, 9 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol attack wants to question six Republican lawmakers about their conversations with former President Donald Trump and – for some – their knowledge of the protesters who laid siege to the building. — Amy Nakamura, USA TODAY, 10 May 2022 Several Republicans availed themselves of their time in front of a national audience to question Jackson about her philosophy around sentencing guidelines, to the frustration at times of the judge and Democratic lawmakers. — Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 7 May 2022 At a monthly meeting in the Reedy Creek Improvement District on Wednesday morning, the president of the firefighters’ union stood up to question the district’s board of supervisors about the uncertainty facing his members. — Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2022 Look, there is no way anyone can question anything about Max Strus’ defense after that fourth quarter in Boston. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2022 Even a foray to the corner store or the library becomes fodder for the abuser to question and harass about activity and its timing. — cleveland, 23 Apr. 2022 Detectives were seeking to question the man, Frank R. James, about the attack at the 36th Street station in Sunset Park that injured at least 23 people, some of them children traveling to school. — New York Times, 12 Apr. 2022 Individual troopers decided on their own whether to question drivers and passengers about immigration status, summon ICE, or hold immigrants without a warrant until ICE arrived, according to ProPublica’s investigation. — Deborah Sontag, ProPublica, 10 Apr. 2022 Look, there is no way anyone can question anything about Max Strus’ defense after that fourth quarter in Boston. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, 1 Apr. 2022 See More

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

questingly

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Last Updated

12 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Question.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/question. Accessed 18 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for question

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)