ques·tion
ˈkwes-chən 
ˈkwesh-
1
a(1)
: an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge
(2)
: an interrogative sentence or clause
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
(2)
: room for doubt or objection
little question of his skill
(3)
: chance, possibility
no question of escape
questioned; questioning; questions
1
: to ask a question of or about
2
: to interrogate intensively : cross-examine
questioner
noun
Synonyms
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
Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
Some frequently asked questions about this type of sale include:
How is KC Property Group different from other companies that buy houses?
—Kc Property Group, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2024
Gosling laughed, too, when he and Day were seated together, and the giggles spread to Chloe Fineman, who played an audience member asking a question.
—USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
Last question: The Anxious Generation focuses on smartphones, especially during middle school.
—Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR, 14 Apr. 2024
Here are four questions ahead of Sunday night’s match:
1.
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
Upgrade your security questions Many websites offer backup security questions to protect user accounts.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
How demographics shape the battlegrounds Orange County is shaping up to be among the chief places where questions like that will play out in the battle for control of the House.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
Reuters, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
At points throughout the trial, which turned into a worldwide media spectacle with 126 witnesses and 35 weeks of evidence and testimony, the defense took turns questioning the competency of police crime-lab technicians, West L.A. Division officers and the vaunted Robbery-Homicide Division.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
But in December, the 4th District Court of Appeal took a more nuanced approach, acknowledging that investigatory videos are confidential, but then questioned whether every video met that standard.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
Many who are questioning his fitness for the presidency held high-level positions in the White House, including former Vice President Mike Pence and multiple cabinet members.
—USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Ives wasn’t the only Wall Street analyst questioning Tesla’s current path this week, either.
—Will Daniel, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
When alliances shift, the ladies question their loyalty to each other as some friendships are left in the desert dust.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
The pause originated from his parents questioning whether this was a wise decision.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Harville was also located by deputies at the home and taken into custody for questioning.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Noun
The questions are causing agita at Point Loma Nazarene University, which is debating whether to chase money and prestige to shore up its finances and better compete for the declining number of college-age people nationally.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
Some frequently asked questions about this type of sale include:
How is KC Property Group different from other companies that buy houses?
—Kc Property Group, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2024
Gosling laughed, too, when he and Day were seated together, and the giggles spread to Chloe Fineman, who played an audience member asking a question.
—USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
Last question: The Anxious Generation focuses on smartphones, especially during middle school.
—Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR, 14 Apr. 2024
Here are four questions ahead of Sunday night’s match:
1.
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
Upgrade your security questions Many websites offer backup security questions to protect user accounts.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
How demographics shape the battlegrounds Orange County is shaping up to be among the chief places where questions like that will play out in the battle for control of the House.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
Verb
Scholz is due to meet President Xi Jinping on Tuesday and question him about China’s support for Russia’s wartime economy, two years after Moscow unleashed its invasion of Ukraine.
—Reuters, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
At points throughout the trial, which turned into a worldwide media spectacle with 126 witnesses and 35 weeks of evidence and testimony, the defense took turns questioning the competency of police crime-lab technicians, West L.A. Division officers and the vaunted Robbery-Homicide Division.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
But in December, the 4th District Court of Appeal took a more nuanced approach, acknowledging that investigatory videos are confidential, but then questioned whether every video met that standard.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
Many who are questioning his fitness for the presidency held high-level positions in the White House, including former Vice President Mike Pence and multiple cabinet members.
—USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Ives wasn’t the only Wall Street analyst questioning Tesla’s current path this week, either.
—Will Daniel, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
When alliances shift, the ladies question their loyalty to each other as some friendships are left in the desert dust.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
The pause originated from his parents questioning whether this was a wise decision.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Harville was also located by deputies at the home and taken into custody for questioning.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'question.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of question was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing question
Articles Related to question
Dictionary Entries Near question
Cite this Entry
“Question.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/question. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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 verb1
: 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
adverb
-chə-niŋ-lē
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)
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)
More from Merriam-Webster on question
Nglish: Translation of question for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of question for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about question
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