Definitions for problem
ˈprɒb ləmprob·lem

Princeton's WordNet(3.25 / 4 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(3.67 / 6 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. Nisar Ali Khan:

   Maybe that will provide us with the opportunity for ... our leadership to sit together informally and work out solutions to the problem that have been afflicting this region ...Discussions which might not be possible in the glare of media publicity, heart-to-heart discussions.

2. J.B.S. Haldane, "On Being the Right Size" in the (1928) book "Possible Worlds":

   To the biologist the problem of socialism appears largely as a problem of size. The extreme socialists desire to run every nation as a single business concern. I do not suppose that Henry Ford would find much difficulty in running Andorra or Luxembourg on a socialistic basis. He has already more men on his pay-roll than their population. It is conceivable that a syndicate of Fords, if we could find them, would make Belgium Ltd. or Denmark Inc. pay their way. But while nationalization of certain industries is an obvious possibility in the largest of states, I find it no easier to picture a completely socialized British Empire or United States than an elephant turning somersaults or a hippopotamus jumping a hedge.

3. Mohammed Rezwan:

   From school age, I thought there must be a solution to this problem.

4. Jeanne Mitterando:

   I was [doing rounds] at the hospital, but slowly, walking became a problem.

5. Kim Il:

   The problem has always been the two Koreas have never been able to fully implement their past agreements that agree on peace and establishing peace, in practical terms, what's the first step United States take toward peace ?

Images & Illustrations of problem

Popularity rank by frequency of use