question

1 of 2

noun

ques·​tion ˈkwes-chən 

ˈkwesh-

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

question

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms

Noun

• interrogative
• problem

Verb

• challenge
• contest
• dispute
• impeach
• oppugn
• query

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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

Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email [e-mail]. —Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024

August didn’t respond to questions from the Herald, and Schandler didn’t respond directly to the Herald’s question about whether his sister had posed as Lefkowitz. —Ben Wieder and, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024

The full story about Havana Syndrome is still far from clear, but the latest reporting raises some serious questions about the way that senior officials have handled their responsibility to those serving in the field. —The Editors, National Review, 2 Apr. 2024

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby is expected to answer questions regarding the call during a press conference later Tuesday. —Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024

The question was: What was Trott’s price? To be sure his reckoning was sound, that morning Avery had moored the Fancy off the island’s coast and sent three of his men to New Providence with a personal note for the governor. —Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024

Ask questions, go directly to the source and leave no room for error. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024

At the time, and throughout its foray as a public company, the question that seemed to follow Endeavor executives was how investors should value the collection of entertainment and sports assets along with major talent agencies as a whole. —Erik Hayden, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024

But for some, questions have lingered for years: Is Panther Island a legitimate flood control project? —Luke Ranker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2024

Verb

Harville was also located by deputies at the home and taken into custody for questioning. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024

In a post last week on X (formerly Twitter), Brown responded to a user who questioned why the Community alum would be involved with the Good Times revival. —Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024

Experts said that some materials were better than others, and questioned whether any fenders constructed of timber would do much to halt a massive container ship. —Casey Tolan, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024

In those moments, I.M is introspective, questioning his desires and, in turn, constructing his identity as a soloist. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

David Robert Elliott With health experts warning that social media can pose risks to the mental health and well-being of children, especially girls, the natural followup question is: Do the members of that mom group ever question her decision to let Evelyn be on social media to this extent? —Dianna Mazzone Singh, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024

Chester, Pennsylvania, police questioned another neighborhood teen about the murder, Potkin told ABC News: 15-year-old Richard McElwee, who had a history of drug abuse, according to Potkin. —Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2024

The company is also facing lawsuits involving its Autopilot software, which question whether the driver is solely responsible when things go wrong in a vehicle guided by Autopilot, or if the software should also bear some of the blame. —Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024

Some also questioned his claims, predicting rents would increase regardless of the referendum. —Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing question

• a question mark over
• beg the question
• beyond question
• call in question
• call into question
• cross-question
• come into question
• good question
• essay question
• open to question
• open question
• loaded question
• question mark
• question and answer session
• previous question
• rhetorical question
• put another question to
• question time
• question master
• there is no question of
• tag question
• self-question
• throw/bring into question
• without question
• trick question
• leading question
• a question of
• in question
• counter-question
• the big question
• out of the question
• pop the question

Kids Definition

question

1 of 2 noun

ques·​tion ˈkwes-chən 

ˈkwesh-

1

a

: something asked

try to make your questions brief

b

: a topic to be talked or argued about

arms control and other questions of the day

c

: a suggestion to be voted on

put the question to the members

2

a

: an act or instance of asking : inquiry

b

: objection sense 1

obey without question

c

: possibility sense 1

no question of escape

question

2 of 2 verb

1

: to ask questions of or about

2

: to doubt the correctness of

question the decision of the judges

3

: to look at or consider carefully : examine

questioner noun

questioningly

-chə-niŋ-lē

adverb

Legal Definition

question

noun

ques·​tion

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

: 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

: 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)