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noun [countable] American English pronunciation: search /sɜrtʃ/ 
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singularsearch
pluralsearches
  1. 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  searchThesaurus entry for this meaning of search
    1. a.
      an attempt to find an answer or information
      search for:

      The committee is involved in a search for solutions to key international problems.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  searchThesaurus entry for this meaning of search
  2. 2
    the process of examining official documents to find information
    search of:

    A search of the public records provided useful biographical information.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  searchThesaurus entry for this meaning of search
    1. a.
      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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  searchThesaurus entry for this meaning of search

This is the American English definition of search. View British English definition of search.

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