n.
Pronunciation: in- ' kw ī (- ə )r- ē , ' in- ˌ ; ' in-kw ə -r ē , ' i ŋ -; ' in- ˌ kwir- ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ries
Date: 15th century
1 : examination into facts or principles : RESEARCH
2 : a request for information
3 : a systematic investigation often of a matter of public interest