1To ask someone a question in order to find out something.
駅までの道が分からず、通行人に尋ねた。
I didn't know the way to the station, so I asked a passerby.
わからない単語があったら、遠慮せずに先生に尋ねてください。
If there's a word you don't understand, feel free to ask the teacher.
受付で開演時間を尋ねたら、7時からだと言われた。
When I asked at the reception about the start time, I was told it begins at 7.
彼女に本当の気持ちを尋ねてみたが、はぐらかされた。
I tried asking her about her true feelings, but she dodged the question.
2To search for or look into the truth or whereabouts of something; can also imply visiting around to investigate.
事件の真相を尋ねて、記者は関係者を訪ね歩いた。
To look into the truth of the incident, the reporter went around visiting those involved.
古文書の由来を尋ねているうちに、意外な事実が分かった。
While looking into the origins of the old document, an unexpected fact came to light.