question

[kwes-chuhn]

noun

1. a sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to get information in reply.

   Synonyms: interrogation, query, inquiry
   Antonyms: reply, answer

2. a problem for discussion or under discussion; a matter for investigation.

3. a matter of some uncertainty or difficulty; problem (usually followed byof ).

   It was simply a question of time.

4. a subject of dispute or controversy.

5. a proposal to be debated or voted on, as in a meeting or a deliberative assembly.

6. the procedure of putting a proposal to vote.

7. Politics.,  a problem of public policy submitted to the voters for an expression of opinion.

8. Law.

   1. a controversy that is submitted to a judicial tribunal or administrative agency for decision.

   2. the interrogation by which information is secured.

   3. Obsolete.,  judicial examination or trial.

9. the act of asking or inquiring; interrogation; query.

10. inquiry into or discussion of some problem or doubtful matter.

verb (used with object)

1. to ask (someone) a question; ask questions of; interrogate.

   Synonyms: examine, query
   Antonyms: reply, answer

2. to ask or inquire.

3. to make a question of; doubt.

   He questioned her sincerity.

4. to challenge or dispute.

   She questioned the judge's authority in the case.

verb (used without object)

1. to ask a question or questions.

question

/ ˈkwɛstʃən /

noun

1. a form of words addressed to a person in order to elicit information or evoke a response; interrogative sentence

2. a point at issue

   it's only a question of time until she dies

   the question is how long they can keep up the pressure

3. a difficulty or uncertainty; doubtful point

   a question of money

   there's no question about it

4. 1. an act of asking

   2. an investigation into some problem or difficulty

5. a motion presented for debate by a deliberative body

6. to require members of a deliberative assembly to vote on a motion presented

7. law a matter submitted to a court or other tribunal for judicial or quasi-judicial decision

8. (in English law) that part of the issue before a court that is decided by the jury

9. (in English law) that part of the issue before a court that is decided by the judge

10. 1. to avoid giving a direct answer by posing another question

    2. to assume the truth of that which is intended to be proved See petitio principii

11. beyond (any) dispute or doubt

12. 1. to make (something) the subject of disagreement

    2. to cast doubt upon the validity, truth, etc, of (something)

13. under discussion

    this is the man in question

14. beyond consideration; unthinkable or impossible

    the marriage is out of the question

15. informal,  to propose marriage

verb

1. to put a question or questions to (a person); interrogate

2. to make (something) the subject of dispute or disagreement

3. to express uncertainty about the validity, truth, etc, of (something); doubt

Usage

The question whether should be used rather than the question of whether or the question as to whether: this leaves open the question whether he acted correctly

Other Word Forms

• questioner noun
• counterquestion noun
• outquestion verb (used with object)
• prequestion verb (used with object)
• requestion verb (used with object)
• subquestion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of question¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (noun) Middle English questio(u)n, questiun, from Anglo-French questiun, Middle French question, from Latin quaestiōn- (stem of quaestiō ), equivalent to quaes-, stem of quaerere “to ask” + -tiōn- -tion; (verb) late Middle English, from Middle French questioner, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of question¹

C13: via Old French from Latin quaestiō, from quaerere to seek

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in question,

   1. under consideration.

   2. in dispute.

2. call in / into question,

   1. to dispute; challenge.

   2. to cast doubt upon; question.

      This report calls into question all previous research on the subject.

3. out of the question, not to be considered; unthinkable; impossible.

   She thought about a trip to Spain but dismissed it as out of the question.

4. beg the question. beg.

5. beyond question, beyond dispute; without doubt: Also beyond all question

   It was, beyond question, a magnificent performance.

see ask a stupid question; beg the question; beside the point (question); beyond question; burning question; call in question; in question; leading question; loaded question; open question; out of the question; pop the question; rhetorical question; without question.

Synonym Study

See inquire.

Example Sentences

The only way he will address any issue is if he can control the narrative and the questions.

From Salon

The biggest question is whether manager Jocelyn Precheur can get them all to gel so quickly but I think they will do well.

From BBC

The big question is how to get that ball rolling.

From Los Angeles Times

How Democrats navigate these questions may determine whether the party sets the terms of debate on Israel, or cedes the fight to its opponents.

From Salon

The suspects, who are aged 31, 33, 34 and 49, were all taken to local police stations for questioning on Friday.

From BBC

Related Words

• argument 
• challenge 
• confusion 
• debate 
• difficulty 
• dispute 
• mystery 
• objection 
• problem 
• query 
• uncertainty 

When To Use

Spelling tips for question

The word question is hard to spell because it sounds like it might begin with a kw, rather than a qu, as in kwestion. How to spell question: When you ask a question you are on a quest for information. This can help you remember that question begins with qu- rather than kw-. You simply add quest to the common suffix -ion and you have the correct spelling of question.