Definition

1. Noun:
   • A scheduled period in a parliamentary session when members of parliament, especially in the UK, can address oral questions to government ministers. This is a formal procedure for holding the executive branch accountable.

Usage

• The term is used as a singular, uncountable noun to refer to the specific parliamentary event.
• It is typically preceded by a definite article ("the") or a possessive determiner (e.g., "today's").
• Example:

Examples

• Noun:
  • The opposition leader prepared carefully for the weekly question time.
  • Ministerial accountability is tested in the daily question time sessions.
  • A major policy announcement was scrutinized during question time.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in/at question time": to be participating in or occurring during this parliamentary period.
  • The minister was caught off guard while at question time.

Variants and Related Words

• Parliamentary questioning: A more general term for the process of asking questions in a legislature.
• Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs): The specific, most prominent session of question time in the UK Parliament where the Prime Minister answers questions.

Synonyms

• Oral questions: Refers to the format of questioning during this period.
• Ministerial question period: A descriptive synonym used in some parliamentary systems.

Related Phrases

• To field questions during question time: To receive and answer questions in this forum.
  • The new minister skillfully fielded questions during question time.
• To lead question time: To be the primary minister responding to questions in a session.
  • The Foreign Secretary will lead question time on Tuesday.

Noun

1. a period during a parliamentary session when members of British Parliament may ask questions of the ministers