research

1 of 2

noun

re·​search ri-ˈsərch  ˈrē-ˌsərch 

1

: studious inquiry or examination

especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws

2

: the collecting of information about a particular subject

3

: careful or diligent search

research

2 of 2

verb

researched; researching; researches

transitive verb

1

: to search or investigate exhaustively

research a problem

2

: to do research for

research a book

intransitive verb

: to engage in research

researchable

ri-ˈsər-chə-bəl 

ˈrē-ˌsər-

adjective

researcher noun

Synonyms

Noun

• delving
• disquisition
• examen
• examination
• exploration
• inquest
• inquiry
• inquisition
• investigation
• probation
• probe
• probing
• study

Verb

• delve (into)
• dig (into)
• examine
• explore
• inquire (into)
• investigate
• look (into)
• probe

Examples of research in a Sentence

Noun

She conducts research into the causes of Alzheimer's disease.

Recent research shows that the disease is caused in part by bad nutrition.

The study is an important piece of research.

He did a lot of research before buying his car.

Verb

He spent the summer researching his dissertation.

Before going out to eat, she researched area restaurants.

The reporter made hundreds of telephone calls while researching the story.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The proposal to place Mr. Kennedy in charge of the federal agencies responsible for protecting the health of American citizens and for conducting the medical research that benefits our country and the rest of humanity has been widely criticized on multiple grounds. —Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024

Those estimates come from research out of a cave laboratory in Moulis, France, where scientist have tracked olm births and deaths for some 70 years. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

She's been researching coverage denials for a forthcoming book. —Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 12 Dec. 2024

But if a campaign has been properly researched, tested and vetted, don’t let the voices of doubt prevail. —Tripp Westbrook, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French recerche, from recercher to go about seeking, from Old French recerchier, from re- + cerchier, sercher to search — more at search

First Known Use

Noun

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing research

• marketing research
• market research
• operations research
• oppo research
• research and development
• research park
• translational research

Kids Definition

research

1 of 2 noun

re·​search ri-ˈsərch  ˈrē-ˌsərch 

1

: careful study and investigation for the purpose of discovering and explaining new knowledge

2

: the collecting of information about a subject

research

2 of 2 verb

1

: to search or investigate thoroughly

research her options

2

: to do research for

research a book

researcher noun