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
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researchessimple
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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
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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:
Further research will be necessary to determine whether the proposed approach can reliably distinguish between different forms of molecular handedness in biological samples.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
The ten-member research team was led by Peter Dodds and Chris Danforth, professors in UVM's College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
The later research demonstrated that selectively removing MTCH2 from fat tissue could increase energy expenditure and protect mice against excessive weight gain on a high-fat diet.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
Additional research published later that year has provided further evidence of its importance in regulating body fat and metabolism.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
“During which he posed for this portrait and cut the ribbon at the grand-opening ceremony. He also gave a rousing speech about the importance of climate research long before it was fashionable.”
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
Now living in London, where he researches Xinjiang for Human Rights Watch, Uluyol said he later learned that his father—a former melon wholesaler—got a 16-year sentence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
The Wall Street Journal spoke to Goldin about how the company researches people’s passions and turns these into products and marketing campaigns.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
"This petition matters because dedicated, ring-fenced government investment would give researches greater certainty, help promising discoveries move into UK clinical trials and ensure rare conditions are not overlooked," he adds.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
Your wife and her siblings are the “primary grievers,” says Joanne Cacciatore, a professor at Arizona State University who researches traumatic grief.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026
“Well, then, what better place to start my fresh researches than here, at Hogwarts?” said Voldemort.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
“We wanted to throw a lot of money at the problem, and as we researched it, we realized that the problem was permitting, not money.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
Side effects, warnings: Creatine is “one of the most researched supplements,” Ansari says, and is safe, overall.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
"Endometriosis is one of the most common yet under researched causes of chronic pain," she said.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Several Anthropic researchers who spent time at Constellation were on the company’s alignment team, which researched how to keep AI models aligned with human values.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
That night, my mom and I researched Cancellation of Removal.
From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
McGovern said he was shocked after visiting "appalling" facilities while researching the latest series of his BBC drama Time.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
One of the most surprising findings I had researching this book was the importance of banter, of humor, of fun, of doing things that waters the garden of the community.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
MarketWatch: What surprised you most while researching the book?
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
As a legal scholar researching the evolution of modern presidential clemency, I have reviewed every individual pardon and commutation granted by U.S. presidents since 1989, spanning seven administrations, from George H.W.
From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026
Maybe researching the family tree won’t be so bad if we’re doing it together.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
