Word family noun search research researcher adjective searching verb search research adverb searchingly
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsearchsearch1 /sɜːtʃ $ sɜːrtʃ/ ●●● S3 W2 noun 1 [countable usually singular]LOOK FOR an attempt to find someone or somethingsearch for Bad weather is hampering the search for survivors.search of Two more bodies were found after a search of the woods.2 [countable] a series of actions done by a computer to find informationsearch of a computerized search of 10,000 medical journals A search found 46 websites. an online searchperform/run/do a search Do a search on ‘rabbit’ and see what it brings up.3 → in search of something4 [singular]FIND OUT an attempt to find an explanation or solutionsearch for the search for a cureCOLLOCATIONSverbscarry out a search (also conduct a search formal)Police have carried out a search of his home.launch/mount a search (=start a search)A massive search was launched for the former soldier.call off/abandon a searchThey called off the search when it got dark.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + searcha thorough/careful search We conducted a thorough search of the building.a painstaking search (=a very careful search)Police officers carried out a painstaking search of the area around the house.a systematic search (=one done in an organized way)They set about a systematic search of the ship.a desperate/frantic searchAfter the war, many people returned to rural areas in a desperate search for food.a fruitless search (=an unsuccessful one)I spent many hours in a fruitless search for accommodation.a police searchHer disappearance sparked a massive police search.a nationwide search (=in every part of a country)Kim was missing for two months, prompting a nationwide search.a house-to-house search (=a search of every house or building in an area)Police are conducting house-to-house searches in the area where the girl disappeared.a fingertip search British English (=a careful search for clues by police officers)Police have started a fingertip search of the area and appealed for witnesses.phrasesthe search is on (=people are trying to find someone or something)The search is on for someone with the same blood type.a search is underway (=it has started)A search is underway for two walkers in the Cairngorm mountains.search + NOUNthe search areaThe search area has now been widened. Examples from the Corpus
search• FBI agents carried out a search of all the nightclubs in the area.• When the men did not return, the commanding officer sent out a search party.• The multinational drug companies are often exploiting that knowledge in their constant search for new and more profitable drugs.• Police are carrying out house-to-house searches in villages near the scene of the murder.• Many of its best-educated residents have been driven to neighboring counties in search of better jobs.• Last June a judge dismissed the fine, declaring that the village must obtain search warrants before conducting the inspections.• And each subsequent day, as the poignant search continued, she welcomed me back.• I did a quick search on the Internet and found three airlines with tickets available on that date.• Much has been spent, to little effect, on the search for a vaccine.• The search for the seat of divinity in man and nature is only a prelude to the aspiration for transcendence.• Rescuers are continuing their search for survivors of the crash.• Their search for gold took them west to Washington State.search for• The school is currently searching for ways to save money.• Lynn searched for a parking place.• The accident has left residents searching for answers and explanations.• I was made redundant last year, and am still searching for a new job.• Coastguards are still searching for survivors from the ship.• the search for the meaning of life• the search for the wreck of the Titanic• Friends and neighbours joined police officers to search for clues.• I've searched everywhere for a birthday present for Kim, but I found nothing I liked.perform/run/do a search• Here you can choose to view a letter, export it to your word processor, and perform search operations.• Police ran a database search of the license numbers of stolen cars.• It lets a user perform a search on various levels, using categories of real estate data and geography.• However, even historians who do search for truth may disagree in their interpretation of an event. ldoce_748_zsearchsearch2 ●●● W3 verb 1 looking [intransitive, transitive]LOOK FOR to try to find someone or something by looking very carefully It was too dark to search further. The area was thoroughly searched.search for somebody/something An RAF plane searched for the missing men. I’ve searched high and low (=everywhere) for my glasses.search something for somebody/something Detectives are searching the yard for clues.search in/under/through something Alice bent to search through a heap of clothes.2 computer [transitive] to use a computer to find informationsearch something for something Search the Web for cheap flights.3 person [transitive]LOOK FOR if someone in authority searches you or the things you are carrying, they look for things you might be hidingsearch somebody for something He was searched by the guards for weapons.4 solution [intransitive]LOOK FOR to try to find an explanation or solutionsearch for Scientists are still searching for a cure. She paused, searching for inspiration.5 → search me!6 examine [transitive]EXAMINE to examine something carefully in order to find something out, decide something etc Anya searched his face anxiously. —searcher noun [countable]COLLOCATIONSadverbssearch something carefullyWe searched the whole house carefully, but didn’t find anything.search something thoroughlyThey searched the garden thoroughly.search frantically/desperately (=in a hurried way, because you feel very worried)Panic-stricken parents frantically searched for their children.search high and low (=search everywhere)We searched high and low for him, but couldn’t find him.search something from top to bottom (=search all the rooms in a building)They searched the house from top to bottom.search in vainHe searched in vain for a means of escape. THESAURUSsearch to look carefully for someone or somethingDetectives continue to search for clues.She searched through all his clothes.look for somebody/something to try to get someone or something you want or needI’m looking for something to wear for my sister’s wedding.The band is looking for a singer.He’s decided to look for a new career.try to find somebody/something used especially when someone or something is difficult to findI spent half an hour trying to find a parking space.She was in the kitchen, trying to find something to eat that wasn’t raw carrot.seek formal to try to find something or someone – used especially about jobs, help, or information. Also used in newspaper advertisements when trying to find a suitable personThey went there seeking work.She decided to seek help. Tall blond 18-year-old male seeks female 17+ for friendship.hunt to look for someone or something. Used when you look very carefully and thoroughly, or in the phrase house/job/bargain huntingI’ve hunted everywhere, but I can’t find a recipe for French onion soup. She’s gone out bargain-hunting in the sales.be on the lookout for somebody/something to be continuously looking for someone or somethingI’m always on the lookout for a good bargain.leave no stone unturned to look for someone or something in every possible placeThe police say they will leave no stone unturned in their search for the killer. → search something ↔ out→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
search• All visitors to the prison are thoroughly searched.• I searched a few websites, but couldn't find the information I was looking for.• They could search a thousand years and they'd not find it.• All visitors will be searched before entering the prison.• To find a book on our site, you can search by author, title, or subject.• Relations in databases are designed to be searched by the primary keys.• Elizabeth left me and I searched every corner of the hotel - every dark doorway and staircase.• Bidwill is notorious for his secrecy while searching for a coach.• I did a search for any articles by Varenqe on the web, and I found quite a few.• The company, named for a friend who died from an infection, would search for new targets for antibiotics.• The 73-year-old Republican standard-bearer took time out of his busy campaign schedule last week to search for those roots.• The men were all searched for weapons and then allowed to enter.• You can search on the Internet for the names of dealers in your area.• At the site, rescue workers have been searching systematically in the hope of finding more survivors.• Police have searched the area near his home, but have so far found nothing.• You can search the document for particular words or phrases, in order to get directly to the information you need.• Frantically he cast about, searching the ground.• The crow bar raised over his head, he searched the water for the keg among other things.• We searched the whole house for Diane's ring.• Our leaders will have to search their consciences before agreeing to this deal.• Local people are still searching woods near the victim's home for any clues to help find her killer.thoroughly searched• She hadn't been allowed to bring anything off the boat except her patchwork leather shoulder-bag which had been thoroughly searched first.• He thoroughly searched the house and came up with some startling and damning evidence.From Longman Business Dictionarysearchsearch1 /sɜːtʃsɜːrtʃ/ noun1[countable] an attempt to find someone or something, usually one that takes a lot of timesearch forTheir offer ended a five-month search for a buyer for the company.Graduates in debt simply can’t afford lengthy job searches.2[countable] when police or other people with official power look through someone’s possessions, business records etc because they think they have done something illegalsearch ofEvidence of copyright infringement was found during a recent search of the company offices. → see also certificate of search3[countable]COMPUTING the action of looking for information in a computer’s memory or on the Internetsearch onI did a search on the company and found out it had a lot of money in real estate.searchsearch2 verb [intransitive, transitive]1to spend time looking for someone or somethingsearch forWe searched the whole state for a contractor.Geophysical methods are widely used in searching for oil.2COMPUTINGto look for information on a computer or on the Internetseacrch something for somethingI spent my lunch hour searching the Internet for a cheap flight.You have to wait a few minutes while the software is searching.Try searching the web using a Subject Directory Service.→ See Verb tableOrigin search2 (1300-1400) Old French cerchier “to go around, examine, search”, from Late Latin circare “to go around”, from Latin circum “around” 