noun , verb
■ noun
/ rɪˈsɜːtʃ; ˈriːsɜːtʃ; NAmE -sɜːrtʃ/ [ U ] (also re·searches [ pl. ] especially in BrE ) research (into / on sth/sb) a careful study of a subject, especially in order to discover new facts or information about it :
medical / historical / scientific, etc. research
to do / conduct / undertake research
He has carried out extensive research into renewable energy sources.
Recent research on deaf children has produced some interesting findings about their speech.
What have their researches shown?
a research project / grant / student
I've done some research to find out the cheapest way of travelling there.
—see also market research , operational research
■ verb
/rɪˈsɜːtʃ; NAmE -ˈsɜːrtʃ/ research (into / in / on sth) to study sth carefully and try to discover new facts about it :
[ v ]
They're researching into ways of improving people's diet.
[ vn ]
to research a problem / topic / market
She's in New York researching her new book (= finding facts and information to put in it) .
[also v wh- ]
► re·search·er noun
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from obsolete French recerche (noun), recercher (verb), from Old French re- (expressing intensive force) + cerchier to search.