Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

research

Syllabification: (re·search)
Translate research | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of research

noun

  • the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions:we are fighting meningitis by raising money for medical research
  • (researches) acts or periods of investigation and study:his pathological researches were included in official reports
  • [as modifier] engaged in or intended for use in investigation and discovery:a research student a research paper

verb

[with object]
  • investigate systematically:she has spent the last five years researching her people’s history [no object]:the team has been researching into flora and fauna
  • discover facts by investigation for use in (a book, program, etc.):I was in New York researching my novel (as adjective, with submodifier researched)this is a well-researched and readable account

Derivatives

researchable

adjective

researcher

noun

Origin:

late 16th century: from obsolete French recerche (noun), recercher (verb), from Old French re- (expressing intensive force) + cerchier 'to search'

The traditional pronunciation of research in British English puts the stress on the second syllable, -search. In US English, the stress nearly always comes on the re-. The US pronunciation is becoming more common in British English and, while some traditionalists view it as incorrect, it is now generally accepted as a standard variant of British English.

research in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of research in the British & World English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

monocular

/ məˈnɒkjʊlə /
adjective , noun
with, for, or in one eye …