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re·search
ri-ˈsərch 
ˈrē-ˌsərch
ˈrē-ˌsərch
1
: 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
2
: the collecting of information about a particular subject
3
: careful or diligent search
researched; researching; researches
1
: to search or investigate exhaustively
research a problem
2
: to do research for
research a book
: to engage in research
researcher
noun
Synonyms
Example Sentences
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
IEEE Spectrum, 22 Mar. 2023
Previous research has shown that obesity can alter people’s brain activity, and that people have an innate aversion to bitter foods and a proclivity for things that taste sweet.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 22 Mar. 2023
If Twitter has been de-amplifying antisemitism, our research shows almost no evidence of it.
—Carl Miller, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2023
The research, created by Federico Rossano, the principal investigator, is being conducted in partnership with FluentPet, which produces and sells buttons and soundboards.
—Marlene Cimons, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Mar. 2023
The research, created by Federico Rossano, the principal investigator, is being conducted in partnership with FluentPet, which produces and sells buttons and soundboards.
—Marlene Cimons, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Mar. 2023
New research from Adobe Analytics, shared with CNN, spells out the scale of this trading-down trend playing out in online shopping.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 21 Mar. 2023
Other research has shown that pheasants housed in groups of five performed better on a learning task (figuring out which hole contained food) than those housed in groups of only three—that’s Social background.
—Elizabeth Preston, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2023
At least none of the new building options require Roberts’ suggestion from previous research—a mixture that required human urine and blood for solidification.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2023
Matt Egan, CNN, 20 Mar. 2023
How much funding is Rolls-Royce getting? Rolls-Royce will receive £2.9 million, which equals around $3.5 million, to research how a nuclear reactor could function on the moon.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2023
The symposium is part of a larger Essex Heritage initiative — funded with a $50,000 National Park Service grant — to research and promote public awareness of the Black experience in the Essex National Heritage Area.
—John Laidler, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Mar. 2023
One piece of advice would be to thoroughly research the issue, understand multiple perspectives and consider the consequences of your stance.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023
As part of a months-long process, STAT leaned on its seasoned editorial team to research and identify hundreds of finalists who made noteworthy contributions to their fields over the past year.
—STAT, 15 Mar. 2023
To help prepare for the change, the district will start conversations with teachers and research successful middle schools, said John Atha, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
—Rachel Fradette, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2023
Afrigen has started to research new possibilities, including vaccines for tuberculosis and HIV.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
For example, users can use the tool to research best practices for their businesses or identify potential customers for their sales initiatives, Salesforce said.
—Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2023
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Noun
But research is showing that the old formulas used to build copper interconnects are a disadvantage to ruthenium.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Mar. 2023
Previous research has shown that obesity can alter people’s brain activity, and that people have an innate aversion to bitter foods and a proclivity for things that taste sweet.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 22 Mar. 2023
If Twitter has been de-amplifying antisemitism, our research shows almost no evidence of it.
—Carl Miller, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2023
The research, created by Federico Rossano, the principal investigator, is being conducted in partnership with FluentPet, which produces and sells buttons and soundboards.
—Marlene Cimons, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Mar. 2023
The research, created by Federico Rossano, the principal investigator, is being conducted in partnership with FluentPet, which produces and sells buttons and soundboards.
—Marlene Cimons, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Mar. 2023
New research from Adobe Analytics, shared with CNN, spells out the scale of this trading-down trend playing out in online shopping.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 21 Mar. 2023
Other research has shown that pheasants housed in groups of five performed better on a learning task (figuring out which hole contained food) than those housed in groups of only three—that’s Social background.
—Elizabeth Preston, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2023
At least none of the new building options require Roberts’ suggestion from previous research—a mixture that required human urine and blood for solidification.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2023
Verb
In February, the Washington Post reported that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos hired an investment firm to research a possible bid for the Commanders team.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 20 Mar. 2023
How much funding is Rolls-Royce getting? Rolls-Royce will receive £2.9 million, which equals around $3.5 million, to research how a nuclear reactor could function on the moon.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2023
The symposium is part of a larger Essex Heritage initiative — funded with a $50,000 National Park Service grant — to research and promote public awareness of the Black experience in the Essex National Heritage Area.
—John Laidler, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Mar. 2023
One piece of advice would be to thoroughly research the issue, understand multiple perspectives and consider the consequences of your stance.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023
As part of a months-long process, STAT leaned on its seasoned editorial team to research and identify hundreds of finalists who made noteworthy contributions to their fields over the past year.
—STAT, 15 Mar. 2023
To help prepare for the change, the district will start conversations with teachers and research successful middle schools, said John Atha, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
—Rachel Fradette, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2023
Afrigen has started to research new possibilities, including vaccines for tuberculosis and HIV.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023
For example, users can use the tool to research best practices for their businesses or identify potential customers for their sales initiatives, Salesforce said.
—Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2023
See More
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.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle French recerche, from recercher to go about seeking, from Old French recerchier, from re- + cerchier, sercher to search — more at search
First Known Use
Noun
1577, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing research
Dictionary Entries Near research
Cite this Entry
“Research.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/research. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
research
1 of 2 noun
re·search
ri-ˈsərch
ˈrē-ˌsərch
ˈrē-ˌsərch
1
: careful study and investigation for the purpose of discovering and explaining new knowledge
2
: the collecting of information about a subject
research
2 of 2 verb1
: to search or investigate thoroughly
research her options
2
: to do research for
research a book
researcher
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on research
Nglish: Translation of research for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of research for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about research
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