Definitions for problem
ˈprɒb ləmprob·lem

Princeton's WordNet(2.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. problem, job(noun)

   a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

   "she and her husband are having problems"; "it is always a job to contact him"; "urban problems such as traffic congestion and smog"

2. problem(noun)

   a question raised for consideration or solution

   "our homework consisted of ten problems to solve"

3. trouble, problem(noun)

   a source of difficulty

   "one trouble after another delayed the job"; "what's the problem?"

Wiktionary(3.33 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. problem(Noun)

   A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.

2. problem(Noun)

   A question to be answered, schoolwork exercise.

3. problem(Noun)

   A puzzling circumstance.

Webster Dictionary(3.75 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Problem(noun)

   a question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt

   Etymology: [F. problme, L. problema, fr. Gr. anything thrown forward, a question proposed for solution, fr. to throw or lay before; before, forward + to throw. Cf. Parable. ]

2. Problem(noun)

   anything which is required to be done; as, in geometry, to bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular; or, in algebra, to find an unknown quantity

   Etymology: [F. problme, L. problema, fr. Gr. anything thrown forward, a question proposed for solution, fr. to throw or lay before; before, forward + to throw. Cf. Parable. ]

Freebase(3.80 / 5 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Problem

   A problem is the relation between human will and reality. When will and reality do not coincide, the resolution of this gap between reality and will is the solution of the problem. A problem implies a desired outcome coupled with an apparent deficiency, doubt or inconsistency that prevents the outcome from taking place.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Problem

   prob′lem, n. a matter difficult of settlement or solution: (geom.) a proposition in which something is required to be done.—adjs. Problemat′ic, -al, of the nature of a problem: questionable: doubtful.—adv. Problemat′ically.—v.i. Prob′lematise. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. problēma—pro, before, ballein, to throw.]

Suggested Resources(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. problem

   Quotes by problem -- Explore a large variety of famous quotes made by problem on the Quotes.net website.

2. problem

   Song lyrics by problem -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by problem on the Lyrics.com website.

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'problem' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #310

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'problem' in Written Corpus Frequency: #298

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'problem' in Nouns Frequency: #23

How to pronounce problem?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say problem in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of problem in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of problem in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of problem in a Sentence

1. Bay County Commissioner Mike Thomas:

   We are not overrun with college students, we are overrun with thugs, and that is the problem. It is impossible to pass laws that people who do not follow the laws will obey.

2. President Trump:

   These are terrible people and we have to get tough with those people, this isn’t about committees ... this is about winning a very tough problem.

3. Charles Franklin Kettering:

   The only difference between a problem and a solution is that people understand the solution.

4. Jon Thompson:

   I’m not going to get the taxpayers sued, if I had a problem with what was being said during the prayer, I wouldn’t pay attention. … We’re going to knowingly become involved in litigation that we cannot afford.

5. Ricardo Paes de Barros:

   The fundamental problem is the government spends most of its education budget paying for people who don't need to be paid for.

Images & Illustrations of problem

Popularity rank by frequency of use