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
Nehls has said his campaign complied with federal law and addressed inquiries into alleged behavior as political retribution.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
However, Mark Lin, manager at another immigration consultancy Luby, said that while inquiries have doubled over the past two years on geopolitical worries, leaving during a conflict wouldn’t be easy.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
When reached by phone, Pomponio’s husband, Gary Pomponio, declined to comment for himself and his wife, and directed inquiries to Malakauskas.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Swalwell challenged the early-stage inquiry into his mortgage in part by citing the Privacy Act, which governs the release of identifying documents within the government and generally prevents their release without a person’s consent.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inquiry
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jay Stahl, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
However, Mark Lin, manager at another immigration consultancy Luby, said that while inquiries have doubled over the past two years on geopolitical worries, leaving during a conflict wouldn’t be easy.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
When reached by phone, Pomponio’s husband, Gary Pomponio, declined to comment for himself and his wife, and directed inquiries to Malakauskas.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Swalwell challenged the early-stage inquiry into his mortgage in part by citing the Privacy Act, which governs the release of identifying documents within the government and generally prevents their release without a person’s consent.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 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 5 Apr. 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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