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

The footage drew suspicion from investigators with the California Department of Insurance, who after executing a search warrant, found a bear costume in the suspects’ home.

From BBC

The pair like to search other queer content for coded hashtags to use on their own account, such as “lala,” which is slang for “lesbian,” or the Chinese words for “roommates” or “besties.”

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s available on social media, but it takes a bit more effort. You just need to actively search for it,” Li said.

From Los Angeles Times

We do know that as head of ICE, he oversaw the separation of families who dared to cross the border in search of a safer, better life.

From Los Angeles Times

He opened the Spotify app on one of his phones and typed in the search box.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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