answering

1. To make a reply or response to.

   He answered the question.

2. To speak in defence against; to reply to in defence.

   to answer a charge or accusation

3. To respond to a call by someone at a door or telephone, or other similar piece of equipment.

   Nobody answered when I knocked on the door.

4. To suit a need or purpose satisfactorily.

   It answers the need.

5. To be accountable or responsible; to make amends.

   He has a lot to answer for.

6. To file a document in response to a complaint.
7. To correspond to; to be in harmony with; to be in agreement with.
8. To be opposite, or to act in opposition.
9. To be or act in conformity, or by way of accommodation, correspondence, relation, or proportion; to conform; to correspond; to suit; usually with to.
10. To respond to satisfactorily; to meet successfully by way of explanation, argument, or justification; to refute.
11. To be or act in compliance with, in fulfillment or satisfaction of, as an order, obligation, or demand.

    He answered my claim upon him.

12. To render account to or for.
13. To atone for; to be punished for.
14. To be or act as an equivalent to, or as adequate or sufficient for; to serve for; to repay.

noun

The act of giving an answer.