What does "query" mean?

1. (a question) a question you ask because you have a doubt or need more information. 2. (database request) a specific request for information from a computer database. 3. (to ask or doubt) to ask a question about something or to suggest that it might be wrong. 4. (to search a database) to use a computer to search for specific information in a large collection of data.

query

n. · v.

US //ˈkwiɹi// UK //kwˈiəɹi// query

1 a question (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

a question you ask because you have a doubt or need more information.

a question, especially one expressing doubt or requesting information in a formal or professional context.

Example

If you have a query about your bill, please call our customer service team.

Example

The accounts department raised a query regarding the unexplained discrepancy in the quarterly financial report.
- answer
- response
2 database request (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Computing

a specific request for information from a computer database.

a precise set of instructions or commands used to retrieve, manipulate, or search for data within a database management system.

Example

The database query took several minutes to run because there was so much data.

Example

Optimising the SQL query significantly reduced the server load during peak traffic hours.
- request
- search

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3 to ask or doubt (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

to ask a question about something or to suggest that it might be wrong.

to express doubt about the accuracy or validity of something; to formally request information.

Example

I need to query this charge on my credit card statement.

Example

Several professors queried the methodology used in the study, suggesting the sample size was too small for such a broad conclusion.
- accept
- confirm
4 to search a database (v.)
C1 Advanced Technical Computing

to use a computer to search for specific information in a large collection of data.

to perform a search or data retrieval operation on a database or information system.

Example

You can query the system to find all customers who live in London.

Example

The application allows users to query the central repository in real-time to check for inventory updates.
- search
- filter

Origin

An anglicisation of quere, an obsolete variant form of Latin quaere, second-person singular present active imperative of quaerō (“seek, look for; ask”); perhaps suffixed with -y (“abstract noun”). Cognate with French quérir, Italian chiedere, Portuguese querer, Romanian cere, and Spanish querer. Compare question.