DictionaryAI

research

SayREE-surch/ˈɹiˌsɝt͡ʃ/UK/ˈɹiːsɜːt͡ʃ/AUSri-SURCH/ɹɪˈsɜːt͡ʃ/

Verbresearches, researching, researched

5 meanings of research

Practice

  1. 1
    careful studynoununcountable
    Careful study done to find new facts or to check facts already known.

    Like a detective looking carefully for clues to find out the truth.

    She does research on how plants grow in dry soil.

    Their research helped doctors find a better treatment.

    UsageSay some research or a piece of research (not incorrect: a research). You do research on something.

    Similarinquiry, experimentation, scholarship

  2. 2
    investigateverb
    To study something carefully to find out facts about it.

    Like digging deep into the ground to find what is hidden below.

    He likes to research before he buys anything expensive.

    They researched every neighborhood before deciding which house to buy.

  3. 3
    single studynoundatedcountable
    A single piece of careful study into one question.

    Like one chapter in a big book full of discoveries.

    Her researches into old family names took her many years.

    The dearest interests of parties have frequently been staked on the results of the researches of antiquaries.
    1849, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James the SecondHere, researches means single studies, each one looking into a subject.

    UsageMostly in old books, as researches into something. Today people say a study.

    Similarstudy, investigation

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    verb
    To search through something one more time.
  2. 5
    verb
    To get a particular reaction from people when tested in market research.

Use it in a sentence

Write your own sentence with research, and AI will tell you whether it fits and which meaning you used.

Origin

It comes from an early French word rechercher, meaning "to examine closely." It can be seen as re- plus search.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts