# search

/ˈsɝtʃ/ (US) · /sˈɜːtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/search
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. to look for something

verb · CEFR A2

to look through a place or an area very carefully to find something.

For teachers: to examine a place, person, or object thoroughly in order to find something concealed or lost.

- The police searched the entire house but they could not find the stolen jewelry.
- Customs officers searched the cargo container thoroughly, looking for any signs of undeclared goods or prohibited items.

### 2. to use the internet

verb · CEFR A2

to look for information on the internet using a computer or phone.

For teachers: to use a search engine or database to retrieve specific information.

- I searched the web for a good Italian restaurant near the hotel.
- She searched the online archives for any mention of her great-grandfather's military service during the war.

### 3. an attempt to find

noun · CEFR A2

an act of looking for something or someone.

For teachers: a systematic or organized attempt to locate something or someone.

- The rescue team called off the search when it became too dark to see.
- After a long and difficult search, the researchers finally discovered the rare plant growing deep in the valley.

## Examples

- The police began a search for the missing keys.
- After an hour of searching the house, I finally gave up on my search for the remote.
- The rescue team coordinated a massive search across the mountain range, hoping to locate the hikers before the winter storm made the terrain impassable.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.