question */*/*/

I UK [ˈkwestʃ(ə)n] / US noun
Word forms "question":
singular question plural questions

1)

a) [countable] something that someone asks you when they want information

answer a question:

Why won't you answer my question?

ask a question:

I regretted asking the question as soon as the words were out.

rephrase a question (= ask it in a different way):

Perhaps I ought to rephrase the question.

evade/sidestep a question (= deliberately not answer it):

Politicians have a habit of evading difficult questions.

awkward question (= one that is difficult or embarrassing to answer):

Children are always asking awkward questions about the facts of life.

a searching/probing question (= one that asks for information that someone might not want to give):

probing questions about my health

b) a request for information that is intended to test your knowledge, for example in a test or competition

answer a question:

Only one person answered all three questions correctly.

2) [countable] an issue that needs to be discussed and dealt with

raise a question:

Recent incidents are bound to raise questions about the level of violence in football.

address/tackle/resolve a question (= deal with a question):

His report did not address the question of air warfare.

vexed question (= a difficult one):

the vexed question of the national minimum wage

3) [countable/uncountable] a feeling of doubt about something

question over/as to/about:

There had been some question as to whether to interview the boy.

raise questions (= create doubts):

This information began to raise questions in her mind about Jack's innocence.

•

be a/the question of — mainly spoken used for saying what the most important issue is in a situation

There would definitely be some job losses; it was just a question of how many.

We all want to go ahead with the project, but there's the question of finance.

call/bring/throw something into question — to make something seem less certain

New evidence has called into question the testimony of this witness.

(that's a) good question — spoken used as a way of saying that you do not know something

"But how long will all this take?" "Good question".

there is no question about/that — used for saying that something is definitely true

He will win. There is no question about it.

There is no question that she has a great voice.

- be out of the question

- beyond question

- in question

- there is no question of something

- without question

See:

beg

II UK [ˈkwestʃ(ə)n] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "question":
present tense I/you/we/they question he/she/it questions present participle questioning past tense questioned past participle questioned

1) if the police question someone, they ask them questions to find out what they know about a crime

A man is being questioned by detectives in connection with the murder of a young girl.

a) to ask someone questions formally or officially

Witnesses are reminded of their duty to tell the truth when questioned in court.

A hundred employers were questioned in the survey.

b) to ask someone a question to find out what they know about something

Curious friends questioned me about the case.

2) to have or express doubts about something

Some historians question the validity of oral data.

question the wisdom/logic/merit of something:

She was beginning to question the wisdom of leaving so quickly.

question someone's motives:

I don't think it's fair to question his motives just because he disagrees with you.