answer

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

“I waited several days for his answer”

“he wrote replies to several of his critics”

a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem

“they were trying to find a peaceful solution”

“the answers were in the back of the book”

“he computed the result to four decimal places”

the speech act of replying to a question

the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims

a nonverbal reaction

“his answer to any problem was to get drunk”

“their answer was to sue me”

react verbally

“She didn't want to answer”

“answer the question”

“We answered that we would accept the invitation”

“They answer that there was a traffic accident”

respond to a signal

“answer the door”

“answer the telephone”

give the correct answer or solution to

“answer a question”

“answer the riddle”

understand the meaning of

“The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered”

give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)

“The defendant answered to all the charges of the prosecution”

be liable or accountable

“She must answer for her actions”