search

[ surch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to go or look through (a place, area, etc.) carefully in order to find something missing or lost:

   They searched the woods for the missing child. I searched the desk for the letter.

   Synonyms: investigate

2. to look at or examine (a person, object, etc.) carefully in order to find something concealed:

   He searched the vase for signs of a crack. The police searched the suspect for weapons.

   Synonyms: inspect

3. to explore or examine in order to discover:

   They searched the hills for gold.

4. to look at, read, or examine (a record, writing, collection, repository, etc.) for information:

   to search a property title; He searched the courthouse for a record of the deed to the land.

5. to look at or beneath the superficial aspects of to discover a motive, reaction, feeling, basic truth, etc.:

   He searched her face for a clue to her true feelings.

6. to look into, question, or scrutinize:

   She searched her conscience.

7. (of natural elements) to pierce or penetrate:

   The sunlight searched the room's dark corners.

8. to uncover or find by examination or exploration (often followed by out ):

   to search out all the facts.

9. Military. to fire artillery over (an area) with successive changes in gun elevation.
10. Digital Technology. to electronically retrieve data, web pages, database records, or other information from (files, databases, etc.) by typing relevant terms into a search engine or other search tool:

    Most of us have searched the internet for medical advice.

verb (used without object)

1. to inquire, investigate, examine, or seek; conduct an examination or investigation.

noun

1. 1. the act of searching; careful examination or investigation:

      Her date with the guy she met online went badly, so her search for “Mr. Right” continues.

   2. an instance of this:

      Did the search turn up any clues?

   Synonyms: scrutiny, inspection

2. the practice, on the part of naval officers of a belligerent nation, of boarding and examining a suspected neutral vessel at sea in order to ascertain its true nationality and determine if it is carrying contraband:

   the right of visit and search.

3. Digital Technology. the act or process of electronically retrieving data, web pages, database records, or other information from files, databases, etc., as in Boolean search keyword search

   A search of the article turned up two references to my company.

search

/ sɜːtʃ /

verb

1. to look through (a place, records, etc) thoroughly in order to find someone or something
2. tr to examine (a person) for concealed objects by running one's hands over the clothing
3. to look at or examine (something) closely

   to search one's conscience

4. trfoll byout to discover by investigation
5. surgery
   1. to explore (a bodily cavity) during a surgical procedure
   2. to probe (a wound)
6. tr military to fire all over (an area)
7. computing to review (a file) to locate specific information
8. archaic.
   to penetrate
9. search me informal.
   I don't know

noun

1. the act or an instance of searching
2. the examination of a vessel by the right of search
3. computing
   1. a review of a file to locate specific information
   2. ( as modifier )

      a search routine

4. right of search
   international law the right possessed by the warships of a belligerent state in time of war to board and search merchant vessels to ascertain whether ship or cargo is liable to seizure

Derived Forms

• ˈsearchable, adjective
• ˈsearcher, noun

Other Words From

• searcha·ble adjective
• searcha·ble·ness noun
• searcher noun
• outsearch verb (used with object)
• pre·search noun verb (used with object)
• under·search noun
• un·searched adjective
• well-searched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of search¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb serchen, cerchen, from Anglo-French sercher or directly from Old French cerchier, from Late Latin circāre “to go around,” derivative of Latin circus “circle”; noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of search¹

C14: from Old French cerchier, from Late Latin circāre to go around, from Latin circus circle

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. search me, I don't know:

   Why has it taken so long to reach a decision? Search me.

More idioms and phrases containing search

In addition to the idiom beginning with search , also see high and low, search ; in search of .

Example Sentences

There was no shortage of available data to search for patterns in malformations and symptoms to identify subtypes for which treatment protocols could be devised.

From Science Daily

Some of Ian Hughes’s earliest memories are of playing in the dust and digging holes while his mom and her colleagues searched for fossils in South Australia.

From Science Magazine

Mr Høiby's residence at Skaugum, close to where the crown prince and his wife live, has also been searched by police.

From BBC

Judge Amit Mehta ruled Google operates an online search monopoly in August, and has been considering what remedies or penalties to impose.

From BBC

The industry’s dominant web browser — it controls about 61 percent of the U.S. market, according to Bloomberg — is a potent data-collection portal, steering people to the company’s search engine.

From New York Times

Related Words

• check
• comb
• examine
• explore
• go through
• hunt
• hunt for
• inspect
• investigate
• look
• probe
• ransack
• scan
• scour
• scout
• scrutinize
• seek
• sift

More About Search

What is a basic definition of search?

Search means to look to find something that is missing or whose location has been forgotten or is unknown. It also means to carefully examine a person or thing to find something that is hidden. A more modern meaning of search is to enter a query on a search engine or website in order to find a specific page or piece of information. Search is also used as a noun to refer to the process of looking for something. Search has many other senses as both a verb and a noun.

Most generally, search means to look for something. It usually implies something more thorough than just looking.

Real-life examples: People search for buried treasure, missing children, and things that they have lost, among many other things. Sometimes, people are said to search for abstract things, such as meaning or happiness.

Used in a sentence: We searched everywhere in the house for my sister’s missing toy. 

Search also means to look closely at or examine a person or thing to find something that may be concealed or hidden.

Real-life examples: Police and security guards search people to check for weapons or illegal items they may be hiding on themselves or in something they own. Collectors or appraisers will often search an item for damage or signs that something may be fake.

Used in a sentence: The art expert searched the statue to find the sculptor’s trademark signature that proved it was genuine. 

Search is also commonly used in the context of searching the internet, a website, or an individual webpage.

Real-life examples: When you use a search engine, you enter a search term in order to view the search results to find what you’re looking for. This process is called a search. 

Used in a sentence: I searched for the exact phrase, but there were no results, so I tried another search using only keywords.

As a noun, search also commonly refers to the process of trying to find something. An investigation is a kind of search for the truth.

Real-life examples: Police often conduct searches to find missing people or suspects. People participate in or start searches focused on finding many different things, such as romantic partners, colleges, missing wallets, or answers to questions.

Used in a sentence: I haven’t made much progress in my search for the perfect birthday present for my girlfriend.

Where does search come from?

The first records of the word search come from the early 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Late Latin verb circāre, meaning “to go around.” The noun sense comes from the verb.

Search shares an origin with the words circle and circus. The Latin circāre comes from the Latin word circus, meaning “ring” or “circle.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to search?

• searchable (adjective)
• searcher (noun)

What are some synonyms for search?

• look
• examine
• check
• probe
• investigation
• inspection
• hunt
• pursuit

What are some words that share a root or word element with search? 

• searchlight
• search party
• search engine
• search warrant
• research
• circle
• circus

What are some words that often get used in discussing search?

• police
• computer
• history
• results
• archives
• exhaustive
• hidden
• concealed

How is search used in real life?

Search is a common word that’s used in the context of looking for something.

Some people are lucky enough to find love early in their life, some are cursed to search for it forever.

— Handoko Tjung (@handokotjung) November 20, 2020

My search for a birthday dress has been a fail thus far 😩

— Sambalina (@JaydynsDynasty) November 22, 2020

Been looking for a song for 1,5 years. I didn't remember the title or any of the lyrics. All I had in my head is 1 second of the clip. I was searching through old songs so maybe it would show up in the suggested videos. Today it showed on the main page. Bless you YouTube gods!

— Grzegorz Komincz (@Liquid_MaNa) November 24, 2020

 

 

Try using search!

Is search used correctly in the following sentence?

After a long search, the man finally found his wedding ring, which he had dropped in the sand.