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

At the same time, conservative students thought that treating the matter as an open question was ridiculous. — WSJ, "Philosophy Courses Score Low on Diversity Exams," 10 Apr. 2019 So, the question now is what will happen once the regular season ends. — Geoff Baker, The Seattle Times, "When will Seattle’s NHL franchise hire a general manager? The answer may lie in Edmonton.," 10 Apr. 2019 Another question fans have is how the network will handle Lori’s character, Abigail Stanton. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "A 'When Calls the Heart' Star Says He's 'Totally in the Dark' About Show's Return," 7 Apr. 2019 The question that a lot of the dinner discussion will aim to get at is how equitable conditions, in the broader sense, can be achieved. — Noor Brara, Vogue, "How a Woman-Led Dinner Series, and the Country’s Best Chefs, Are Changing the Culinary Status Quo," 2 Apr. 2019 The question now facing investigators and the broader aviation industry, is whether the two incidents were linked by a common, fatal flaw. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "Pilot of Doomed Ethiopian Airlines Flight Reported Control Problems Shortly After Takeoff," 13 Mar. 2019 All too often, the answers to these questions are yes, which is why tanning expert Jules Von Hep founded Isle of Paradise, a line of self-tanners with color-corrective technology (and without harsh synthetic ingredients). — Rebecca Dancer, Allure, "Exclusive: Isle of Paradise Launches Its First Clear Tanning Mousse, and I Got to Try It," 1 Apr. 2019 So, Priyanka’s response—concise, dismissive, and frankly, a little annoyed—was, yes, a reaction to the question at hand. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "Priyanka Chopra Is Not Here for Those Meghan Markle Feud Rumors," 25 Mar. 2019 So much so, that the internet makes up answers to the show's biggest questions (how Jack died, for example) instead of waiting for the answers to be revealed themselves. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "The Craziest Season 3 'This Is Us' Fan Theories on the Internet," 19 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Justice Kavanaugh, who sharply questioned Missouri’s position at November arguments, wrote separately to stress that inmates challenging modes of execution had wide latitude to suggest alternatives. — Jess Bravin, WSJ, "Supreme Court Rejects Ailing Killer’s Claim That Lethal Injection Will Be Too Painful," 1 Apr. 2019 Officers detained a suspect for questioning at 5:58 a.m. at Long Branch Avenue and Spray Street, but no arrests have been made, Stirk said. — City News Service, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Firefighters respond to multiple fires in Ocean Beach," 13 July 2018 Besides pointing to the ballooning costs and delays, critics have questioned the very necessity of a building a new mega-rocket rather than relying upon smaller existing rockets or new ones under development by private industry. — Andrew Moseman, Popular Mechanics, "Not Going Back to the Moon: A Brief Timeline," 27 Mar. 2019 Barr’s memo drew criticism from congressional Democrats, who questioned Barr’s impartiality. — Michael Balsamo, The Seattle Times, "Mueller offers no answer on whether Trump obstructed justice," 25 Mar. 2019 Fans have been questioning their relationship status for several weeks and, while nothing has been confirmed, there's a lot of evidence supporting this breakup theory on social media. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "Did Chase Chrisley and Girlfriend Lindsey Merrick Break Up?," 21 Feb. 2019 But many have been questioning why Kate Middleton stood with Queen Elizabeth and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall for the morning service, while Meghan viewed the event alongside the German First Lady, Elke Büdenbender. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Meghan Markle Didn't Stand on the Same Balcony as Kate Middleton During Remembrance Day," 11 Nov. 2018 The study found that 37% of U.S. Catholics said the abuse crisis had led them to question whether to remain part of the church. — Ian Lovett, WSJ, "More Catholics Considering Abandoning the Church," 13 Mar. 2019 Grubb accepts that politicians are unlikely to question economic growth any time soon. — David Roberts, Vox, "The case for “conditional optimism” on climate change," 29 Jan. 2019

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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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)