question

/ˈkwɛstʃɪn/

/ˈkwestʃɪn/

Other forms: questions; questioned; questioning

"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.

Definitions of question

1. noun

   a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply
   “he asked a direct question”

   synonyms: interrogation, interrogative, interrogative sentence

   types:

   cross-question

   a question asked in cross-examination

   leading question

   a question phrased in such a way as to suggest the desired answer; a lawyer may ask leading questions on cross-examination

   yes-no question

   a question that can be answered by yes or no

   type of:

   sentence

   a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
2. noun

   an instance of questioning
   “there was a question about my training”

   synonyms: enquiry, inquiry, interrogation, query

   antonyms:

   answer

   the speech act of replying to a question

   type of:

   inquiring, questioning

   a request for information
3. verb

   pose a question
   synonyms: query

   types:

   enquire, inquire, wonder

   have a wish or desire to know something

   interpellate

   question formally about policy or government business

   examine

   question closely

   pump

   question persistently

   check out, feel out, sound out

   try to learn someone's opinions and intentions

   debrief

   put someone through a debriefing and make him report

   quiz, test

   examine someone's knowledge of something

   cross examine, cross question, cross-examine

   question closely, or question a witness that has already been questioned by the opposing side

   catechise, catechize

   examine through questioning and answering

   grill

   examine thoroughly

   request

   inquire for (information)

   type of:

   ask

   address a question to and expect an answer from
4. verb

   pose a series of questions to
   “The suspect was questioned by the police”

   “We questioned the survivor about the details of the explosion”

   synonyms: interrogate

   type of:

   ask

   address a question to and expect an answer from
5. verb

   conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
   synonyms: interview

   type of:

   converse, discourse

   carry on a conversation
6. noun

   the subject matter at issue
   “the question of disease merits serious discussion”

   synonyms: head

   types:

   problem

   a question raised for consideration or solution

   matter of fact, question of fact

   a disputed factual contention that is generally left for a jury to decide

   matter of law, question of law

   a disputed legal contention that is generally left for a judge to decide

   mystifier, puzzle, puzzler, teaser

   a particularly baffling problem that is said to have a correct solution

   case

   a problem requiring investigation

   homework problem

   a problem that students are assigned to do outside of class

   brain-teaser, conundrum, enigma, riddle

   a difficult problem

   poser, sticker, stumper, toughie

   a particularly difficult or baffling question or problem

   Gordian knot

   any very difficult problem; insoluble in its own terms

   koan

   a paradoxical anecdote or a riddle that has no solution; used in Zen Buddhism to show the inadequacy of logical reasoning

   pons asinorum

   a problem that severely tests the ability of an inexperienced person

   rebus

   a puzzle where you decode a message consisting of pictures representing syllables and words

   type of:

   subject, theme, topic

   the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
7. noun

   a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote
   “she called for the question”

   synonyms: motion

   type of:

   proposal

   something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
8. noun

   uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something
   “there is no question about the validity of the enterprise”

   synonyms: doubt, doubtfulness, dubiousness

   type of:

   precariousness, uncertainness, uncertainty

   being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance
9. verb

   place in doubt or express doubtful speculation
   synonyms: wonder

   types:

   scruple

   have doubts about

   type of:

   chew over, contemplate, excogitate, meditate, mull, mull over, muse, ponder, reflect, ruminate, speculate, think over

   reflect deeply on a subject
10. verb

    challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
    “We must question your judgment in this matter”

    synonyms: call into question, oppugn

    type of:

    challenge

    issue a challenge to
11. noun

    an informal reference to a marriage proposal
    “he was ready to pop the question”

    type of:

    marriage offer, marriage proposal, proposal, proposal of marriage

    an offer of marriage