English Reference
noun · verb

raid

n. · v.
US /ˈɹeɪd/ UK /ɹˈeɪd/ raid UK spelling raided, raids

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    n.a sudden, surprise attack by the police or soldiers to catch someone or find something illegal.

    n.a surprise operation by law enforcement or military forces to secure a location, make arrests, or seize illicit goods.

    Simple

    The police carried out a dawn raid on the house to look for stolen goods.

    In context

    Following a lengthy undercover investigation, federal agents conducted a coordinated raid on the warehouse, seizing several tons of contraband.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    n.a quick visit to a place to take something, often food.

    n.a brief, often humorous or informal incursion into a place to obtain something, typically food or supplies.

    Simple

    The teenagers made a midnight raid on the fridge and ate all the leftover pizza.

    In context

    After the long hike, the children staged a successful raid on the pantry, depleting the entire stock of biscuits within minutes.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Computing

    n.a large group of players in an online game who work together to defeat a very strong enemy.

    n.a coordinated mission in a massively multiplayer online game requiring a large group of players to overcome high-level challenges.

    Simple

    Our guild is planning a massive raid for Saturday night to defeat the final boss.

    In context

    The raid leader spent hours coordinating the different character classes to ensure the group had enough healing power for the final encounter.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to enter a place suddenly to steal something or to look for something illegal.

    v.to conduct a sudden, forceful entry into a location for the purpose of seizure, plunder, or arrest.

    Simple

    Thieves raided the gallery and stole three valuable paintings.

    In context

    Customs officials raided the vessel upon its arrival in the port, acting on a tip-off regarding undeclared cargo hidden in the hull.

Usage raid on a home

The couple’s nightly routine in their Palestinian Christian town is now similar to the majority-Muslim rural Palestinian communities besieged by settler attacks and nighttime military raids for years.

Al Jazeera· 14 Aug 2026

He has seen violence on the High Street and an increase in raids on High Street shops.

BBC News· 7 Jun 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated