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research

/ˈrisərtʃ/

/ˈrɪsətʃ/

Other forms: researches; researching; researched

In their spare time, teenagers LOVE doing extra research, by investigating the facts of a certain subject and studying and recording what they learn. And if you believe that, you need to do more research on the habits of teenagers.

Research comes from the Old French word recercher, meaning "seek out," or "search closely." When you do research, you are searching for knowledge and facts. Although you write plenty of research papers in college, on anything from the Industrial Revolution to the meaning behind a fur-lined teacup, the term is often used when talking about science, because scientists use step-by-step research to prove what is true, or not true, in their line of work.

Definitions of research
  1. noun
    a search for knowledge
    “their pottery deserves more research than it has received”
    synonyms: enquiry, inquiry
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    types:
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    nature study
    the study of animals and plants in the natural world (usually at an elementary level)
    experiment, experimentation
    the testing of an idea
    empirical research
    an empirical search for knowledge
    investigation, probe
    an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
    canvass, opinion poll, poll, public opinion poll, survey
    an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
    heraldry
    the study and classification of armorial bearings and the tracing of genealogies
    pilot experiment
    a preliminary experiment whose outcome can lead to a more extensive experiment
    test, trial, trial run, tryout
    trying something to find out about it
    fishing expedition
    an investigation undertaken in the hope (but not the stated purpose) of discovering information
    exit poll
    a poll of voters as they leave the voting place; usually taken by news media in order to predict the outcome of an election
    straw poll, straw vote
    an unofficial vote taken to determine opinion on some issue
    type of:
    problem solving
    the thought processes involved in solving a problem
  2. noun
    systematic investigation to establish facts
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    operations research
    research designed to determine most efficient way to do something
    field work
    an investigation carried out in the field rather than in a laboratory or headquarters
    market research, marketing research
    research that gathers and analyzes information about the moving of good or services from producer to consumer
    microscopy
    research with the use of microscopes
    probe
    an investigation conducted using a flexible surgical instrument to explore an injury or a body cavity
    research project, scientific research
    research into questions posed by scientific theories and hypotheses
    big science
    scientific research that requires massive capital investment but is expected to yield very significant results
    biological research
    scientific research conducted by biologists
    experiment, experimentation
    the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
    market analysis
    marketing research that yields information about the marketplace
    product research
    marketing research that yields information about desired characteristics of the product or service
    consumer research
    marketing research that yields information about the motives and needs of different classes of consumers
    electron microscopy
    microscopy with the use of electron microscopes
    dark field illumination, dark ground illumination
    a form of microscopic examination of living material by scattered light; specimens appear luminous against a dark background
    fluorescence microscopy
    light microscopy in which the specimen is irradiated at wavelengths that excite fluorochromes
    type of:
    investigating, investigation
    the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically
  3. verb
    inquire into
    “the students had to research the history of the Second World War for their history project”
    synonyms: delve, explore, search
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    prospect
    explore for useful or valuable things or substances, such as minerals
    google
    search the internet (for information) using the Google search engine
    mapquest
    search for a location and directions by means of the MapQuest program
    re-explore
    explore anew
    beat about, cast about, cast around
    search anxiously
    type of:
    investigate, look into
    investigate scientifically
  4. verb
    attempt to find out in a systematic and scientific manner
    “The student researched the history of that word”
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    types:
    consult, look up, refer
    seek information from
    type of:
    investigate, look into
    investigate scientifically
Pronunciation
US

/ˈrisərtʃ/

UK

/ˈrɪsətʃ/

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘research'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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