RESEARCH

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does research mean? 

• RESEARCH (noun)
  The noun RESEARCH has 2 senses:

1. systematic investigation to establish facts

2. a search for knowledge

  Familiarity information: RESEARCH used as a noun is rare.

• RESEARCH (verb)
  The verb RESEARCH has 2 senses:

1. attempt to find out in a systematically and scientific manner

2. inquire into

  Familiarity information: RESEARCH used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RESEARCH (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Systematic investigation to establish facts

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("research" is a kind of...):

investigating; investigation (the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "research"):

field work (an investigation carried out in the field rather than in a laboratory or headquarters)

market research; marketing research (research that gathers and analyzes information about the moving of good or services from producer to consumer)

microscopy (research with the use of microscopes)

probe (an investigation conducted using a flexible surgical instrument to explore an injury or a body cavity)

research project; scientific research (research into questions posed by scientific theories and hypotheses)

operations research (research designed to determine most efficient way to do something)

Derivation:

research (inquire into)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A search for knowledge

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

enquiry; inquiry; research

Context example:

their pottery deserves more research than it has received

Hypernyms ("research" is a kind of...):

problem solving (the thought processes involved in solving a problem)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "research"):

investigation; probe (an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities)

heraldry (the study and classification of armorial bearings and the tracing of genealogies)

canvass; opinion poll; poll; public opinion poll (an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people)

empirical research (an empirical search for knowledge)

experiment; experimentation (the testing of an idea)

nature study (the study of animals and plants in the natural world (usually at an elementary level))

Derivation:

research (inquire into)

research (attempt to find out in a systematically and scientific manner)

• RESEARCH (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they research    ... he / she / it researches   
Past simple: researched   
Past participle: researched   
-ing form: researching   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Attempt to find out in a systematically and scientific manner

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

The student researched the history of that word

Hypernyms (to "research" is one way to...):

investigate; look into (investigate scientifically)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "research"):

consult; look up; refer (seek information from)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue research the movie

Derivation:

research (a search for knowledge)

researcher (a scientist who devotes himself to doing research)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Inquire into

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

explore; research; search

Context example:

Scientists are exploring the nature of consciousness

Hypernyms (to "research" is one way to...):

investigate; look into (investigate scientifically)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "research"):

prospect (explore for useful or valuable things or substances, such as minerals)

google (search the internet (for information) using the Google search engine)

mapquest (search for a location and directions by means of the MapQuest program)

re-explore (explore anew)

beat about; cast about; cast around (search anxiously)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

research (systematic investigation to establish facts)

research (a search for knowledge)

researcher (a scientist who devotes himself to doing research)

 Context examples 

Molecular medicine is based on research that shows how certain genes, molecules, and cellular functions may become abnormal in diseases such as cancer.

(Molecular medicine, NCI Dictionary)

You might go on a lecture tour, research facts for your thesis, or if you write code, create new software or a website.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Our present research appears to be a case of murder.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Choosing these devices takes time and research.

(Mobility Aids, NIH)

Eating chocolate may have some health pluses, but the research is far from certain.

(Can Chocolate Really Be Good for You?, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

It also includes activities during or after a research protocol.

(Adverse Event Sub-Domain, NCI Thesaurus)

The mechanisms by which GR might induce the various aspects of the metabolic syndrome are a key area of research.

(Metabolic Syndrome Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

Research has shown that acupuncture reduces nausea and vomiting after surgery and chemotherapy.

(Acupuncture, NIH: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)

These are being studied for therapeutic and research use.

(Miniantibody, NCI Thesaurus)

The gravel upon the window-sill was, of course, the starting-point of my research.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)