research
Americannoun
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research
plural
verb (used without object)
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researches,
present (3rd person singular)
-
researched,
past participle, past
-
researching
present participle
verb (used with object)
-
researches,
present (3rd person singular)
-
researched,
past participle, past
-
researching
present participle
noun
verb
Synonym Usage
See investigation.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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researchernoun
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researchistnoun
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underresearchverb (used with object)
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proresearchadjective
-
researchableadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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researchsimple
-
researchessimple
-
have researchedperfect
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has researchedperfect
-
am researchingprogressive
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are researchingprogressive
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is researchingprogressive
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have been researchingperfect progressive
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has been researchingperfect progressive
Past
-
researchedsimple
-
had researchedperfect
-
was researchingprogressive
-
were researchingprogressive
-
had been researchingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of research
First recorded in 1570–80; (verb) from Middle French recercher “to seek,” Old French, equivalent to re- re- + cercher search; (noun) from Middle French recerche
Explanation
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.
Vocabulary lists containing research
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Journalism
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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 9
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Oil markets remain caught between Middle East supply risks and prospects for diplomacy, according to Lukman Otunuga, head of market research at FXTM.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
The unusually large and diverse dataset assembled for the research could prove valuable far beyond questions of penguin classification, Bowie said.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
He held particular scorn for the flat-earthers, who he thought were plants to discredit genuine research about extraterrestrial technology.
From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026
Spanish meteorological research group Climatoc-Lab described it as "a manifestation of how global warming alters the hydrological cycle".
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
After much research, study, testing, and consulting, the team chose the first panda for freedom in the wild: Xiang Xiang, a captive-born and -raised cub who was roughly two years old when training began.
From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh
Holly now researches child criminal exploitation and the care system at the University of Sheffield.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
Bauer researches historical and contemporary right-wing movements in the United States and recently wrote a book called “Making the Liberal Media.”
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026
M researches a part in a mansion that has been meticulously art-directed to resemble the house of a family who in fact never lived there.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
Chinese authorities have charged a China-born American seismologist who researches underground nuclear tests with espionage after secretly detaining him in late 2024, according to the Massachusetts man’s supporters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
My researches do indeed involve the interpretation of robot behavior in the light of the Three Laws of Robotics.
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
But the GLP-1s are increasingly being researched, used experimentally, and even prescribed off-label to treat a range of other conditions in which they show promise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Some administration officials privately researched Sacks’s businesses to see if the venture investor could personally profit by blocking regulations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
I’ve researched the revenues of both locations and can comfortably afford to do this.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026
The trial was a snapshot of community attitudes in 1943, some of which shocked O’Brien as she researched her book.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
Positive words and phrases included generously, public-spirited, wise, beneficial, commendable, carefully researched, useful, honorable, good.
From "The Landry News" by Andrew Clements
While the Moon has numerous craters, many of which are far bigger than McGetchin, researching a crater's formation in real time can help build understanding of the Moon's geology.
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
She took some steps toward that goal, including researching programs that help first-time home buyers.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026
Years after 9/11, while researching my book about how America’s financial markets recovered from the attacks, I interviewed many people who helped restore the system.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
While researching his book he found that Mason owned land between Olive and Grand streets right next to the park, making it an appropriate memorial location.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
They put in another two hours researching the market, designing the UI, and getting started on the wireframe and storyboard.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
