question

American  

[kwes-chuhn] / ˈkwɛs tʃən /

noun

• questions
  plural

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.

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verb (used with object)

• questions,
  present (3rd person singular)
• questioned,
  past participle,  past
• questioning
  present participle

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)

• questions,
  present (3rd person singular)
• questioned,
  past participle,  past
• questioning
  present participle

1. to ask a question or questions.

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.

question British  

/ 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

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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

question More Idioms  

1. 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.

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Usage

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.

Synonym Usage

See inquire.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• questions
  plural

Participles

• questioning
  present
• questioned
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• question
  simple
• questions
  simple
• have questioned
  perfect
• has questioned
  perfect
• am questioning
  progressive
• are questioning
  progressive
• is questioning
  progressive
• have been questioning
  perfect progressive
• has been questioning
  perfect progressive

Past

• questioned
  simple
• had questioned
  perfect
• was questioning
  progressive
• were questioning
  progressive
• had been questioning
  perfect progressive

Future

• will question
  simple
• will have questioned
  perfect
• will be questioning
  progressive
• will have been questioning
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of question

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

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Explanation

"How am I doing so far?" "What time is it?" These are questions, in other words — sentences designed to get information from someone. Do you understand this definition? Question can also mean a doubt about the truth of something. If your college professor tells you he has a question about the originality of your term paper, for example, it means you might be getting busted for plagiarism. The act of raising such a doubt is also "to question" something. Finally, a question can be something that depends on a particular condition: "Reading dictionaries is a question of interest and intellect." There's no question you have both, clearly.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

question questions questioned questioning

Whether Huang remains CEO is the critical question for investors, they noted.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026

Feyi-Waboso is X-factor, there is no question about that.

From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026

The question has particular medical significance because lowering testosterone is an established treatment for prostate cancer.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 8, 2026

I try to approach the stories from that angle: How would I feel if I was asked this question?

From Slate ● Nov. 8, 2026

I always question whether or not it’s the right one, an eternal loop that won’t shut up.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

The new disclosures have raised questions about the Nvidia leader’s lobbying against export controls prohibiting sales of powerful AI chips within China and the company’s efforts to keep chips it sells from winding up there.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026

I’ve heard them get asked those kinds of questions.

From Slate ● Nov. 8, 2026

Defense officials told The Times that the campaign has already consumed multiple munitions per target to ensure successful strikes, raising internal questions over the conduct of the war under Hegseth’s leadership.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2026

Pop Mart declined to comment on share price moves and did not respond to questions about falling sales.

From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2026

Dad’s warned me not to ask too many questions.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

The driver is reported to have been taken to hospital after sustaining injuries and has not yet been questioned by police, the prosecutor's office added.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

Melvin questioned Stewart during her most recent appearance.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

Two men are still being questioned on suspicion of people smuggling, police said.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

Our journalism examined power and politics, questioned assumptions, surfaced stories that deserved attention and made room for perspectives that were too often overlooked.

From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2026

At one time or another, the patriotism of particular immigrant groups—such as Italians, Germans, and the Japanese—has been questioned.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

After spending huge sums on the monsters, collector Ensito says he is now questioning how much time and money people invest in collections each time a new trend comes along.

From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2026

Paraguayan prosecutors on Saturday began questioning former president Santiago Pena over his alleged involvement in a banking crisis over which he was impeached a day earlier, a police source confirmed to AFP.

From Barron's ● Nov. 7, 2026

He denied responsibility, but during police questioning, he said attacks on Enedis for its Linky technology were justified.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026

It was his ability to persuade others to follow without questioning where their journey would end.

From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2026

Each questioning the scene before them, what is told and what is not.

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers

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Related Words

• argument
• challenge
• confusion
• debate
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• dispute
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• problem
• query
• uncertainty

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