problem

Etymology

From Middle English probleme, from Middle French probleme, from Latin problema, from Ancient Greek πρόβλημα (próblēma, “anything thrown forward, hindrance, obstacle, anything projecting, a headland, promontory”), from προβάλλω (probállō, “to throw or lay something in front of someone, to put forward”), from προ- (pro-, “in front of”) + βάλλω (bállō, “to throw, to cast, to hurl”).

noun

1. A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.
   She's leaving because she faced numerous problems to do with racism.
   The perfume industry is facing a major problem: maintaining constant levels of quality is crucial, but it is increasingly difficult to obtain a regular supply of all the necessary natural ingredients. 2014-03-07, Nicole Vulser, “Perfume manufacturers must cope with the scarcity of precious supplies”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 190, number 13, page 30
2. A question to be answered, schoolwork exercise.
   Study hard, but don't overdo it. The problems in the exam won't be difficult to solve.
3. A puzzling circumstance.
4. Objection.
   You got a problem with that?
5. Difficulty in accepting or understanding or refusal to accept or understand.
   You made your best honest effort; if they judge you harshly, that’s their problem, not yours.
6. (climbing) A set of moves required to complete a climb.

adj

1. (of a person or an animal) Difficult to train or guide; unruly.
2. Causing a problem; problematic; troublesome.
   It is more problem to my family than to me. 2010, A. M. Aleksander, The Pride of the King