search party

American  

noun

1. a group of persons conducting an organized search for someone or something lost or hidden.

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search party British  

noun

1. a group of people taking part in an organized search, as for a lost, missing, or wanted person

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Etymology

Origin of search party

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Some of those volunteers had joined the search party after seeing videos posted by a local filmmaker who was closely following the case, the ABC reported.

From BBC

Half a year on from the fatal shooting, search parties are still scouring the mountainous ranges surrounding the small Australian town of Porepunkah to find him.

From BBC

He turned away from the map and began barking orders into a two-way radio, directing a search party to head immediately for Fish Head Bay.

From Literature

She joins a search party, and she’s hooked on this thrill of helping find the body of this missing girl, and then decides to start pursuing leads.

From Salon

The family organised search parties, which involved up to 300 people at times in the later stages of their search.

From BBC

Related Words

• detachment