research

noun

re·search | \ ri-ˈsərch

, ˈrē-ˌsərch

Definition of research

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : careful or diligent search

2 : studious inquiry or examination especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws

3 : the collecting of information about a particular subject

research

verb

researched; researching; researches

Definition of research (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to search or investigate exhaustively research a problem

2 : to do research for research a book

intransitive verb

: to engage in research

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Examples of research in a Sentence

Noun

She conducts research into the causes of Alzheimer's disease. Recent research shows that the disease is caused in part by bad nutrition. The study is an important piece of research. He did a lot of research before buying his car.

Verb

He spent the summer researching his dissertation. Before going out to eat, she researched area restaurants. The reporter made hundreds of telephone calls while researching the story.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

For example, research conducted by scientists from Ohio State and Penn State universities showed that inhaling lemon oil boosted subjects’ norepinephrine release and enhanced positive feelings. — April Long, Marie Claire, "Aromatherapy Perfumes: Do They Really Work?," 20 Feb. 2019 Not only that, men overestimate their abilities while women underestimate theirs, research suggests. — Andrea Bartz, Good Housekeeping, "Look, I'm a Self-Promoting Woman. And I’m Not Apologizing for It.," 14 Feb. 2019 Our most recent research shows that most of our state transportation funding goes towards roads and highway—projects that increase driving and climate pollution. — Alissa Walker, Curbed, "Getting around the Bay Area with Chanell Fletcher," 21 Dec. 2018 In particular, there was new research on how trees serve as extremely efficient carbon dioxide absorbers, with a single tree in the Amazon rainforest taking in 48 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "10 science stories in 2018 that made us go, “Whoa, that’s awesome”," 18 Dec. 2018 The thing is, research has shown that some mood and anxiety disorders are more common in women with lupus compared to the general population, and about 20 percent of people with fibromyalgia also suffer from a mood or anxiety disorder. — Caitlin Flynn, Allure, "7 Things You Shouldn't Say to Someone With a Chronic or Invisible Illness," 16 Oct. 2018 Lawmakers continue acting like the solutions are some sort of mystery, as if there aren’t years of research and experiences in other countries that show restrictions on firearms can save lives. — German Lopez, Vox, "I’ve covered gun violence for years. The solutions aren’t a big mystery.," 14 Feb. 2019 President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to prioritize research and development in artificial intelligence. — Matt O'brien, The Seattle Times, "Trump calls for investment in artificial intelligence, but lack of details troubles some," 11 Feb. 2019 When the Web was developed, it was seen as a tool for serious research and educational exchanges. — Popular Mechanics, "The Death of the Internet," 7 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Typical is a mainstream neurologist with grants galore who veered into researching a new paradigm. — Eric Felten, WSJ, "‘Borrowed Time’ Review: The Long Ramp to the Final Exit," 21 Feb. 2019 The exhibition's online description notes that Pilotto and De Vos researched previous wedding dresses worn by the royal family, and over the course of several fittings with Princess Eugenie, developed the final design. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Princess Eugenie's Wedding Dress Is Going on Display at Windsor Castle," 8 Feb. 2019 But when researching the demographics of species nearly 800,000 years ago, scientists have struggled with their complexity. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "AI Predicts Humans Have an Ancestor We Don't Even Know About Yet," 17 Jan. 2019 Still, the income tax due on $1 million of wages in 1952 would have been about $870,000, according to Jay Starkman, a certified public accountant in Atlanta who researches tax history. — Laura Saunders, WSJ, "How Wealthy Americans Like Jack Benny Avoided Paying a 70% Tax Rate," 18 Jan. 2019 The University of New England hired Visich, who had researched the genetics of muscle size among other areas of study, from Central Michigan University to become chair of the Exercise and Sport Performance (ESP) department in 2011. — Ben Guarino, The Verge, "An academic reported sexual harassment. Her university allegedly retaliated," 12 Nov. 2018 But to Bethany Lacina, an associate professor of political science at the University of Rochester who researches civil conflicts, the trolling that got Wendig fired was suspicious. — Aja Romano, Vox, "The new troll: how bots and puppets make internet outrage seem louder than it is," 24 Oct. 2018 Trenton State College provided me with a sociology professor who had researched the linguistic and cultural history of the hoagie. — Thomas Swick, Longreads, "Letters from Trenton," 5 July 2018 Grantham, who researched the illness at the University of Kansas Medical Center, died in January 2017. — Andy Marso, kansascity, "Partnership that began in KC 35 years ago yields first treatment for kidney disease," 29 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'research.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.