- search
- search1 [ sɜrtʃ ] noun count ***1. ) an attempt to find something:Despite a thorough search, they found no drugs on him.search for: The authorities carried out several air searches for survivors of the crash.search of: The police have conducted an extensive search of the area.make a search: We'll have to make a thorough search of the office.in search of something (=looking for something): Many people had left their homes to go in search of food.call off/abandon a search: Bad weather forced the rescuers to abandon their search.a ) an attempt to find an answer or information:search for: The committee is involved in a search for solutions to key international problems.2. ) the process of examining official documents to find information:search of: A search of the public records provided useful biographical information.a ) COMPUTING the process of using a computer to find information, especially on the Internet:do a search: You can probably get the address by doing an Internet search.searchsearch 2 [ sɜrtʃ ] verb ***1. ) intransitive or transitive to try to find something or someone by looking carefully:After three days of searching, I gave up.He searched his mind but couldn't come up with the answer.search for: Detectives have been brought in to help search for clues.search through: Rescue teams are still searching through the wreckage for survivors.2. ) transitive to carefully examine something or someone for something that is hidden:The police have arrested a man after searching his house.3. ) transitive COMPUTING to use a computer to look for information, especially on the Internet:I got most of the answers by searching the Net.search me SPOKENused for emphasizing that you do not know the answer to a question:Why would he bother to lie about it? Search me.,search `out phrasal verb transitiveto work hard in order to find something:People need to search out the treatments that work best for them.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.