What does search mean?
Search means to look for something or someone, especially by examining places, records, or other information systematically. It can also refer to an investigation undertaken to uncover facts, identify a cause, or find a solution. The verb commonly appears with a direct object, as in "search the room," or with "for" when the object is less definite, as in "search for the missing key." In modern computing, searching means entering information into a database, catalogue, or search engine so that matching results can be located. As a noun, a search may be a single effort to find a person or object, or a broader inquiry into a problem. The word is broadly neutral, though phrases such as "a desperate search" or "a fruitless search" may imply difficulty or failure. Its long history and transformation from physical searching to digital retrieval make it one of the most familiar words associated with the modern information age.
To look for or try to find someone or something, especially by examining a place, records, or other information.
"The librarian searched the catalogue for the missing edition."
A direct object is typical: "search the records." Use "search for" when the sought person or thing is introduced as the object of the preposition.
An act of looking for or trying to find someone or something, or an investigation intended to uncover facts, answers, or a solution.
"A thorough search of the property finally revealed the missing key."
The noun can describe either a concrete hunt for a person or object or a broader inquiry into a problem.
The plural is used for individual acts, attempts, or investigations of searching.
"Several searches of the area failed to uncover any evidence."
The word search comes from the idea of walking in a circle: its Latin ancestor meant “to go around,” long before modern search engines learned how to comb through the internet.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does search come from?
The word entered Middle English through Old French cerchier, meaning "to look for," and ultimately derives from Vulgar Latin *cercare and Latin circare, "to go round." The underlying idea of circular movement led to the sense of going through a place or examining it thoroughly in search of something. Its Latin root also produced English words such as circle, circuit, circus, and circular.
Related word forms
How search is actually used
As a verb, search normally takes a direct object or is followed by "for": "They searched the forest" or "They searched for the key." In computing, "search" commonly means querying a database, catalogue, or search engine. As a noun, it may denote either a particular attempt to find something or a wider investigation.
Easily confused with search
A search is an attempt to locate particular people, objects, information, or answers, whereas research is a systematic investigation into a subject or question.