From Middle English probleme, from Middle French probleme, from Latin problema, from Ancient Greek πρόβλημα, from προβάλλω, from προ- + βάλλω.

• (RP) IPA: /ˈpɹɒbləm/
• (dated, RP) IPA: /ˈpɹɒblɪm/
• (America) IPA: /ˈpɹɑbləm/

problem (plural problems)

1. A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.

   She's leaving because she faced numerous problems to do with racism.

   • 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC ↗:

     “ […] it is not fair of you to bring against mankind double weapons ! Dangerous enough you are as woman alone, without bringing to your aid those gifts of mind suited to problems which men have been accustomed to arrogate to themselves.”

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.

• solution

• French: problème
• German: Problem
• Italian: problema
• Portuguese: problema
• Russian: пробле́ма
• Spanish: problema, dificultad, lío

• French: problème
• German: Übung
• Portuguese: problema, exercício
• Russian: зада́ча
• Spanish: problema, ejercicio

• Portuguese: problema
• Russian: пробле́ма
• Spanish: problema, embrollo, lío, bronca (Mexico)

problem

1. (of a person or an animal) Difficult to train or guide; unruly.
2. Causing a problem; problematic; troublesome.