Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

public-enquiry

noun

/ˈpʌblɪk ɪnˈkwʌɪəri/

Definition

A public enquiry is a formal investigation conducted by a governmental body to gather information and opinions on a particular issue or event that affects the public.

Examples

The public enquiry into the environmental disaster revealed critical failures in safety procedures.
A public enquiry will be held to assess the effectiveness of the new healthcare policies.
Last month, the government announced a public enquiry regarding the housing crisis.

Meaning

It typically seeks to understand the facts surrounding major incidents, policy matters, or social issues and aims to inform decision-making or policy changes.