inquiry

noun

in·​qui·​ry in-ˈkwī(-ə)r-ē 

ˈin-ˌkwī(-ə)r-ē;

ˈin-kwə-rē 

ˈiŋ-;

ˈin-ˌkwir-ē

plural inquiries

1

: a request for information

2

: a systematic investigation often of a matter of public interest

3

: examination into facts or principles : research

Synonyms of inquiry

• investigation
• examination
• exploration
• study
• probe
• probing

Examples of inquiry in a Sentence

Discovered when Galileo Galilei turned the first astronomical telescope to the heavens in 1610, the Jovian system has been a focus of scientific inquiry ever since. —Chad Galts, Brown Alumni Monthly, November 1996

… his head was tilted at the precise angle of inquiry as to where he should put Muhlenberg's drink. —Theodore Sturgeon, E Pluribus Unicorn, (1953) 1965

… distinguish between legitimate legislative inquiry into the acts of a man … and illegitimate inquiry into opinions … —Norman Thomas, New Republic, 28 Feb. 1955

She refused to answer inquiries from the media about her marriage.

The board ordered an inquiry to determine whether the rules had been followed.

Further inquiry showed that he had visited the city twice before.

The police are pursuing a new line of inquiry.

Recent Examples on the Web

Barrett-Reis did not respond to inquiries for this article, including a message sent via LinkedIn and a letter sent to an address that appeared to be associated with her. —David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026

That includes new inquiries, account openings and changes that would not appear in any one banking app. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026

For phone traffic, Jobber’s AI receptionist fields up to 15 calls per hour—fielding job inquiries, vendor pitches, the occasional invitation to a training seminar in Costa Rica—and escalates only what matters. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026

He was convicted in 2019 of seven felonies, including obstructing a congressional inquiry, lying to investigators under oath and attempting to block witness testimony. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see inquire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing inquiry

• court of inquiry

Rhymes for inquiry

• expiry
• kyrie
• wiry

Kids Definition

inquiry

noun

in·​qui·​ry in-ˈkwī(ə)r-ē  ˈin-ˌkwī(ə)r- 

ˈin-kwə-rē, 

ˈiŋ-;

ˈin-ˌkwi(ə)r-ē

plural inquiries

1

a

: the act of inquiring

learn by inquiry

b

: a request for information

make inquiries at the station

2

: a search for truth or knowledge

3

: a careful examination : investigation

Legal Definition

inquiry

noun

in·​qui·​ry ˈin-ˌkwīr-ē, in-ˈkwīr-ē; ˈin-kwə-rē, ˈiŋ- 

plural inquiries

1

: a request for information

such doubt as would cause a reasonable person to make an inquiry

2

: a systematic official investigation often of a matter of public interest especially by a body (as a legislative committee) with power to compel testimony