question Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an instance of questioning
enquiry; inquiry; interrogation; query.
- there was a question about my training
- we made inquiries of all those who were present
noun the subject matter at issue
head.
- the question of disease merits serious discussion
- under the head of minor Roman poets
noun a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply
interrogation; interrogative; interrogative sentence.
- he asked a direct question
- he had trouble phrasing his interrogations
noun uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something
doubtfulness; doubt; dubiousness.
- the dubiousness of his claim
- there is no question about the validity of the enterprise
noun a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote
motion.
- he made a motion to adjourn
- she called for the question
noun an informal reference to a marriage proposal
- he was ready to pop the question
verb challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
call into question; oppugn.
- We must question your judgment in this matter
verb pose a series of questions to
interrogate.
- The suspect was questioned by the police
- We questioned the survivor about the details of the explosion
verb pose a question
query.
verb conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
interview.
verb place in doubt or express doubtful speculation
wonder.
- I wonder whether this was the right thing to do
- she wondered whether it would snow tonight

F., fr. L. quaestio, fr. quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, ask, inquire. See Quest, n.

The act of asking; interrogation; inquiry; as, to examine by question and answer.
Discussion; debate; hence, objection; dispute; doubt; as, the story is true beyond question; he obeyed without question.
There arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. John iii. 25.

It is to be to question, whether it be lawful for Christian princes to make an invasive war simply for the propagation of the faith. Bacon.
Examination with reference to a decisive result; investigation; specifically, a judicial or official investigation; also, examination under torture. Blackstone.
He that was in question for the robbery. Shak. The Scottish privy council had power to put state prisoners to the question. Macaulay.
That which is asked; inquiry; interrogatory; query.
But this question asked Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain ? Milton.
Hence, a subject of investigation, examination, or debate; theme of inquiry; matter to be inquired into; as, a delicate or doubtful question.
Talk; conversation; speech; speech.Obs. Shak. Syn. -- Point; topic; subject.

Cf. F. questionner. See Question, n.

imperfect & past participle Questioned ; present participle & verbal noun Questioning

To ask questions; to inquire.
He that questioneth much shall lean much. Bacon.
To argue; to converse; to dispute. Obs.
I pray you, think you question with the Jew. Shak.

To inquire of by asking questions; to examine by interrogatories; as, to question a witness.
To doubt of; to be uncertain of; to query.
And most we question what we most desire. Prior.
To raise a question about; to call in question; to make objection to. "But have power and right to question thy bold entrance on this place." Milton.
To talk to; to converse with.
With many holiday and lady terms he questioned me. Shak.
Syn. -- To ask; interrogate; catechise; doubt; controvert; dispute. -- Question, Inquire, Interrogate. To inquire is merely to ask for information, and implies no authority in the one who asks. To interrogate is to put repeated questions in a formal or systematic fashion to elicit some particular fact or facts. To question has a wider sense than to interrogate, and often implies an attitude of distrust or opposition on the part of the questioner.