question

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

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

Ellis himself often joins in and responds to fan questions and squabbles.

— allison p. davis, The Cut, "The #LawrenceHive Is the Male Answer to the #BeyHive," 30 Aug. 2017
Regan did not answer a specific question about that contention.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
Among staff contributing to the Sentinel’s questions were Jill Bankston, chief of development, DPR; Dennis Howe, chief of building division, PDS; and Ramin Abidi, deputy director, DPW.

— karen brainard, Ramona Sentinel, "Another delay for Wellfield Park projects," 28 Aug. 2017
This is the most essential question that Congress must ask.

— daniel depetris, National Review, "Five Questions for Trump on Afghanistan," 27 Aug. 2017
How to identify and reduce stinkhorn mushrooms A question for Dan Gill: This is the second year that this fungus (see photo above) has shown up.

— dan gill, NOLA.com, "How to plant cabbage transplants," 26 Aug. 2017
Which begs the question, did Chrysler create this entire series of rumors?

— ed wallace, star-telegram, "China comes for us," 25 Aug. 2017
For the second question on the worksheet, the student again wrote the right answer and showed his or work, but points were taken off.

— kelly o'sullivan, Country Living, "This Student's Math Problem Was Marked Wrong—Even Though the Answer Was Right," 25 Aug. 2017
Riders enjoyed newfound privacy in their vehicles but missed having a driver who could answer questions or provide simple conversation.

— pete bigelow, Car and Driver, "Consumers on Self-Driving Cars: They’re Freaked Out, but They Can Be Persuaded," 25 Aug. 2017

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

See Words from the same year

question Synonyms

Synonyms

interrogative, problem

Related Words

brainteaser, conundrum, poser, puzzle, quiz, riddle, stickler, stumper, toughie (also toughy)

Near Antonyms

answer, response, solution

question

verb

Definition of question

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

U46 officials have at times questioned the fate of the second half of the school year.

— rafael guerrero, Elgin Courier-News, "Private school provision in K-12 funding bill divisive in Elgin area," 29 Aug. 2017
But following a weekend of protests in the Bay Area, including several violent clashes in Berkley instigated by members of the leftist group Antifa, one committee member questioned whether the list was too narrow.

— jazmine ulloa, latimes.com, "California state Senate committee calls on police to treat violent acts by white supremacist groups as terror attacks," 29 Aug. 2017
Many probably felt the Lakers, on paper, should have been better and then perhaps people start to question the legacy.

— kevin casas, star-telegram, "Can sore losers erode the pro sports landscape?," 26 Aug. 2017
This has led some to question whether the impact was as deadly as it's made out to be.

— scott k. johnson, Ars Technica, "The end-Cretaceous mass extinction was rather unpleasant," 25 Aug. 2017
One of the earliest monuments was built in 2010, which has people questioning if the monuments are really to honor the Confederate fallen.

— melissa cordell, Seventeen, "These Colleges Still Have Confederate Symbolism On Campus — And It's 2017," 17 Aug. 2017
Researchers who use ZooMS tend to question CIEP’s accuracy; CIEP advocates point out ZooMS’ destructive nature.

— gemma tarlach, Discover Magazine, "Proteomics: Moving Beyond DNA to Study the Past," 15 Aug. 2017
An employee account at the victim’s condo complex and a surveillance video provided more evidence that Federico was the possible thief, so detectives decided to question him, according to the TC Palm.

— kate irby, miamiherald, "He said he was retrieving stolen watches. Then detectives showed him his Snapchat post," 11 Aug. 2017
Some on social media are questioning whether the product could actually be real.

— brittney mcnamara, Allure, "People Are Sealing Their Penises Shut With Stickers Instead of Using Condoms," 9 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of question

15th century

question Synonyms

Synonyms

contest, dispute, impeach, oppugn, query, challenge

Antonyms

accept, believe, embrace, swallow

Related Words

doubt, mistrust; kick (about), object (to), protest; combat, fight, oppose, resist

Near Antonyms

back, defend, support; advocate, champion, promote; abide, endure, stomach, tolerate

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

play

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

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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)