2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Problem  \Prob"lem\,  n.  [F.  probl[`e]me,  L.  problema,  fr  Gr  ? 
  anything  thrown  forward,  a  question  proposed  for  solution, 
  fr  ?  to  throw  or  lay  before  ?  before  forward  +  ?  to  throw. 
  Cf  {Parable}.  ] 
  1.  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.  --Bacon. 
 
  2.  (Math.)  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. 
 
  Note:  Problem  differs  from  theorem  in  this  that  a  problem  is 
  something  to  be  done  as  to  bisect  a  triangle,  to 
  describe  a  circle,  etc.;  a  theorem  is  something  to  be 
  proved,  as  that  all  the  angles  of  a  triangle  are  equal 
  to  two  right  angles. 
 
  {Plane  problem}  (Geom.),  a  problem  that  can  be  solved  by  the 
  use  of  the  rule  and  compass. 
 
  {Solid  problem}  (Geom.),  a  problem  requiring  in  its  geometric 
  solution  the  use  of  a  conic  section  or  higher  curve. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  problem 
  n  1:  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"  [syn:  {job}] 
  2:  a  source  of  difficulty:  "one  trouble  after  another  delayed 
  the  job";  "what's  the  problem?"  [syn:  {trouble}] 
  3:  a  question  raised  for  consideration  or  solution;  "our 
  homework  consisted  of  ten  problems  to  solve" 

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