Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: Latin quaestio, from quaestus, past participle of quaerere 'to ask'

question

1 noun
     
ques‧tion1 S1 W1
1

asking for information

[countable] a sentence or phrase that is used to ask for information or to test someone's knowledge [≠ answer]COLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS
ask (somebody) a question answer a question have a question (=want to ask a question) put a question to somebody (=ask someone a question in a formal situation) difficult/awkward/tricky question avoid/evade/sidestep a question (=avoid giving a clear direct answer) set a question (=invent a question for a test) exam/test question pose a question formal (=ask a question) searching/probing question (=one that tries to get a full and thoughtful answer from someone) bombard somebody with questions (=ask someone a lot of questions) rephrase a question (=ask it in a different way) rhetorical question (=one you ask without expecting an answer, as a way of making a point in a discussion) in answer to your question (=used for referring back to a question you are going to answer)
Can I ask you a question?
I'm afraid I can't answer that question.
Did you answer all the questions in the test?
question about/on
They asked me quite a lot of difficult questions about my job.
The survey included questions on age and smoking habits.
Does anyone have any questions?
The audience was invited to put questions to both the speakers.
Stop trying to avoid the question!
The exam questions are set by a team of experts.
the answer to the question posed at the beginning of this chapter
Journalists bombarded the couple with questions.
Perhaps I should rephrase the question.
2

subject/problem

[countable] a subject or problem that needs to be discussed or dealt with [= issue]
question of
We discussed the question of confidentiality.
This raises the question of government funding.
an urgent need to address the question of crime
Several questions have still not been resolved.
The question is should I take the job in Japan, or should I stay here?
Some important questions remain unanswered (=still have not been dealt with or explained).
3

doubt

[uncountable] if there is some question about something, there is doubt about it, or people feel uncertain about it:
The exact cause of death is still open to question (=not certain).
call/bring/throw something into question (=make people doubt something)
This has called into question people's right to retire at 60.
He's by far the best candidate, there's no question about it (=it is completely certain).
There is no question that (=it is completely certain that) the government knew about the deal.
beyond question (=completely certain or definite)
Her efficiency and intelligence are beyond question.
4

without question

a) used to emphasize that what you are saying is true or correct:
Marilyn was, without question, a very beautiful woman.
b) if you accept or obey something without question, you do it without expressing any doubt about whether it is correct or necessary:
Clara accepted his decision without question.
5

there is no question of something happening/somebody doing something

used to say that there is no possibility of something happening:
There is no question of the project being postponed.
6

in question

a) the things, people etc in question are the ones that are being discussed:
Where were you during the evening in question?
b) if something is in question, there is doubt about it:
I'm afraid his honesty is now in question.
7

be a question of something

used to say what the most important fact, part, or feature of something is:
Dance is a question of control and creative expression.
I would love to come, but it's a question of time.
8

it's just/only/simply a question of doing something

spoken used to say that what needs doing is easy or not complicated:
It's just a question of putting in a couple of screws.
9

be out of the question

if something is out of the question, it is definitely not possible or not allowed:
You can't go in that old shirt - it's out of the question.
10

(that's a) good question!

spoken used to admit that you do not know the answer to a question:
'How can we afford this?' 'Good question!'
11

pop the question

informal to ask someone to marry you - used humorously

➔ leading question

at leading1 (4)

; ➔ rhetorical question

at rhetorical (1)

; ➔ beg the question

at beg (6)
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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