question

[kwes-chuh n] /ˈkwɛs tʃən/
noun
1.
a sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to get information in reply.
2.
a problem for discussion or under discussion; a matter for investigation.
3.
a matter of some uncertainty or difficulty; problem (usually followed by of):
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)
11.
to ask (someone) a question; ask questions of; interrogate.
12.
to ask or inquire.
13.
to make a question of; doubt:
He questioned her sincerity.
14.
to challenge or dispute:
She questioned the judge's authority in the case.
verb (used without object)
15.
to ask a question or questions.
Idioms
16.
beg the question. beg (def 9).
17.
beyond question, beyond dispute; without doubt:
It was, beyond question, a magnificent performance.
Also, beyond all question.
18.
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.
19.
in question,
  1. under consideration.
  2. in dispute.
20.
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.
Origin
1250-1300; (noun) Middle English questio(u)n, questiun < Anglo-French questiun, Middle French question < Latin quaestiōn- (stem of quaestiō), equivalent to quaes-, stem of quaerere to ask + -tiōn- -tion; (v.) late Middle English < Middle French questioner, derivative of the noun
Related forms
questioner, noun
counterquestion, noun, verb
outquestion, verb (used with object)
prequestion, verb (used with object)
requestion, verb (used with object)
subquestion, noun
Synonyms
1. inquiry, query, interrogation. 11. query, examine. 12. See inquire.
Antonyms
1, 11. answer, reply.
Examples from the web for question
  • There is an easy answer to this question, and it involves some good news and some bad news.
  • Then there was an awkward silence as though they were waiting for me to answer another question.
  • Myths come into existence to answer a question or to serve a purpose, and one may wonder what purpose was served by this myth.
  • The remaining question is purely hypothetical, and perhaps it would be politic to refuse to answer it.
  • The question is not easy to answer because facial muscles are flat and can mingle with other muscles.
  • The answer to that question is going to change as the technology evolves.
  • There is no law that says the answer to the question the bank ask you has to be truthful.
  • In fact, it would be a good idea to have an answer that is in no way related to the question.
  • They jump in with the answer before he has completed the question.
  • The question you're asking is one many investors have.
British Dictionary definitions for question

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.
put the question, 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.
question of fact, (in English law) that part of the issue before a court that is decided by the jury
9.
question of law, (in English law) that part of the issue before a court that is decided by the judge
10.
beg the question
  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 (all) question, beyond (any) dispute or doubt
12.
call in, into question
  1. to make (something) the subject of disagreement
  2. to cast doubt upon the validity, truth, etc, of (something)
13.
in question, under discussion: this is the man in question
14.
out of the question, beyond consideration; unthinkable or impossible: the marriage is out of the question
15.
(informal) pop the question, to propose marriage
verb (mainly transitive)
16.
to put a question or questions to (a person); interrogate
17.
to make (something) the subject of dispute or disagreement
18.
to express uncertainty about the validity, truth, etc, of (something); doubt
Derived Forms
questioner, noun
Usage note
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
Word Origin
C13: via Old French from Latin quaestiō, from quaerere to seek
Word Origin and History for question
n.

early 13c., "philosophical or theological problem;" early 14c. as "utterance meant to elicit an answer or discussion," also as "a difficulty, a doubt," from Anglo-French questiun, Old French question "question, difficulty, problem; legal inquest, interrogation, torture," from Latin quaestionem (nominative quaestio) "a seeking, a questioning, inquiry, examining, judicial investigation," noun of action from past participle stem of quaerere "ask, seek" (see query (v.)).

No question "undoubtedly" is from mid-15c; no questions asked "accountability not required" is from 1879 (especially in newspaper advertisements seeking the return of something lost or stolen). Question mark is from 1849, sometimes also question stop (1862); figurative use is from 1869. To be out of the question (c.1700) is to be not pertinent to the subject, hence "not to be considered."

v.

late 15c., from question (n.) and from Middle French questionner "ask questions, interrogate, torture" (13c.), from question (n.). Related: Questioned; questioning. Alternative questionize attested from 1847.

Idioms and Phrases with question

question

see: