essay question

American

noun

a question on a test or examination on a given topic requiring a written analysis or explanation, usually of a specified length.

Etymology

Origin of essay question

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So we set ourselves a challenge, which involved each of us answering the same essay question, twice.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2023

Ethan Mollick, a management professor at the University of Pennsylvania, had ChatGPT write an essay question, create a grading rubric for said question, answer the question, and grade its own answer.

From Slate • Dec. 7, 2022

A year ago, the College Board announced it would do away with SAT subject tests and the essay question.

From New York Times • Jan. 25, 2022

Keep in mind, though, that it is not the essay question restated, a topic statement, an assertion of fact, or a step-by-step writing plan.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

When I finish the essay question, I suddenly see how stupid I am.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023