1 a [no obj] : to carefully look for someone or something : to try to find someone or something ▪ They haven't found him yet, so they have to keep searching. ▪ They searched among/through the wreckage (for survivors). ▪ We searched [=looked] everywhere but we couldn't find the keys. —often + for ▪ They're still searching for the lost child. —often used figuratively ▪ Scientists are searching for a cure. [=are doing research to try to find a cure] ▪ He searched for the words to comfort her. [=he tried to think of words that he could say to comfort her] ▪ She searched for an answer to his question. b [+ obj] : to carefully look for someone or something in (something) ▪ Police searched the vehicle. —often + for ▪ He searched his room for his wallet. c [+ obj] : to carefully look through the clothing of (someone) for something that may be hidden ▪ The police searched her for concealed weapons. ▪ He was searched by the guard before he was allowed to enter the courtroom.
2 : to use a computer to find information in (a database, network, Web site, etc.) [+ obj] ▪ The software allows you to search thousands of sites at the same time. —often + for ▪ She searched the Web for information about the car. [no obj] ▪ She searched for information on the Web.
3 [+ obj] : to look carefully at (something) in order to get information about it ▪ He searched her face, hoping to see some glimmer of emotion.