a spoken or written reply or response to a question, request, letter, etc.

He sent an answer to my letter promptly.

a correct response to a question asked to test one's knowledge.

an equivalent or approximation

a singing group that tried to be the French answer to the Beatles.

an action serving as a reply or response

The answer was a volley of fire.

a solution to a problem, esp. in mathematics.

a reply to a charge or accusation.

Law . a pleading in which a party responds to his or her opponent's statement of position, esp. the defendant's reply to the plaintiff's complaint.

Music . the entrance of a fugue subject, usually on the dominant, either slightly altered or transposed exactly after each presentation in the tonic.

to speak or write in response; make answer; reply.

to respond by an act or motion

He answered with a nod. The champion answered with a right to the jaw.

to act or suffer in consequence of (usually fol. by for ).

to be or declare oneself responsible or accountable (usually fol. by for )

I will answer for his safety.

to be satisfactory or serve (usually fol. by for )

His cane answered for a baseball bat.

to conform; correspond (usually fol. by to )

The prisoner answered to the description issued by the police.

to speak or write in response to; reply to

to answer a person; to answer a question.

to act or move in response to

Answer the doorbell. We answered their goal with two quick goals of our own.

to solve or present a solution of.

to serve or fulfill

This will answer the purpose.

to discharge (a responsibility, claim, debt, etc.).

to conform or correspond to; be similar or equivalent to

This dog answers your description.

to atone for; make amends for.

to reply or respond favorably to

I would like to answer your request but am unable to do so.

answer back, to reply impertinently or rudely

Well-behaved children do not answer back when scolded.

answer the helm

Nautical . (of a vessel) to maneuver or remain steady according to the position of the rudder.