essay question

American

noun

a question on a test or examination on a given topic requiring a written analysis or explanation, usually of a specified length.

Etymology

Origin of essay question

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When I finish the essay question, I suddenly see how stupid I am.

From Literature

So we set ourselves a challenge, which involved each of us answering the same essay question, twice.

From BBC

Ethan Mollick, a management professor at the University of Pennsylvania, had ChatGPT write an essay question, create a grading rubric for said question, answer the question, and grade its own answer.

From Slate

It’s hard to write a good essay when you lack detailed, course-specific knowledge of the content that led to the essay question.

From Slate

A year ago, the College Board announced it would do away with SAT subject tests and the essay question.

From New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023