inquiry
noun
in·qui·ry
in-ˈkwī(-ə)r-ē 
ˈin-ˌkwī(-ə)r-ē;
ˈin-kwə-rē
ˈiŋ-;
ˈin-ˌkwir-ē
plural inquiries
1
: a request for information
2
: a systematic investigation often of a matter of public interest
3
: examination into facts or principles : research
Examples of inquiry in a Sentence
Discovered when Galileo Galilei turned the first astronomical telescope to the heavens in 1610, the Jovian system has been a focus of scientific inquiry ever since.
—
Chad Galts, Brown Alumni Monthly, November 1996
… his head was tilted at the precise angle of inquiry as to where he should put Muhlenberg's drink.
—Theodore Sturgeon, E Pluribus Unicorn, (1953) 1965
… distinguish between legitimate legislative inquiry into the acts of a man … and illegitimate inquiry into opinions …
—Norman Thomas, New Republic, 28 Feb. 1955
She refused to answer inquiries from the media about her marriage.
The board ordered an inquiry to determine whether the rules had been followed.
Further inquiry showed that he had visited the city twice before.
The police are pursuing a new line of inquiry.
Chad Galts, Brown Alumni Monthly, November 1996
… his head was tilted at the precise angle of inquiry as to where he should put Muhlenberg's drink.
—Theodore Sturgeon, E Pluribus Unicorn, (1953) 1965
… distinguish between legitimate legislative inquiry into the acts of a man … and illegitimate inquiry into opinions …
—Norman Thomas, New Republic, 28 Feb. 1955
She refused to answer inquiries from the media about her marriage.
The board ordered an inquiry to determine whether the rules had been followed.
Further inquiry showed that he had visited the city twice before.
The police are pursuing a new line of inquiry.
Recent Examples on the Web
Without control of committee gavels — and the subpoena power that comes with them — legislative inquiries from the Hill minority generally rely on the voluntary compliance from their targets to produce documents or testimony.
—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
2 July 2026
An inquiry found in 2021 that 9,000 children had died in 18 mother-and-baby homes during the 20th century.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
The bank declined to respond to inquiries regarding whether PNC has thresholds for flagging large monetary transactions, especially wire transactions.
—
Ella Moore
july 2,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
Following such a notable increase, a crucial inquiry arises regarding what could facilitate further advancement.
—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for inquiry
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
2 July 2026
An inquiry found in 2021 that 9,000 children had died in 18 mother-and-baby homes during the 20th century.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
The bank declined to respond to inquiries regarding whether PNC has thresholds for flagging large monetary transactions, especially wire transactions.
—
Ella Moore
july 2,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
Following such a notable increase, a crucial inquiry arises regarding what could facilitate further advancement.
—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for inquiry
Cite this Entry
“Inquiry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquiry. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inquiry
noun
in·qui·ry
in-ˈkwī(ə)r-ē
ˈin-ˌkwī(ə)r-
ˈin-ˌkwī(ə)r-
ˈin-kwə-rē,
ˈiŋ-;
ˈin-ˌkwi(ə)r-ē
plural inquiries
1
a
: the act of inquiring
learn by inquiry
b
: a request for information
make inquiries at the station
2
: a search for truth or knowledge
3
: a careful examination : investigation
Legal Definition
inquiry
noun
in·qui·ry
ˈin-ˌkwīr-ē, in-ˈkwīr-ē; ˈin-kwə-rē, ˈiŋ-
plural inquiries
1
: a request for information
such doubt as would cause a reasonable person to make an inquiry
2
: a systematic official investigation often of a matter of public interest especially by a body (as a legislative committee) with power to compel testimony
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