Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sudden, forceful entry or attack: A raid is a quick, often surprise, military attack or incursion into enemy territory.
   • A sudden, unexpected police operation: A raid refers to a surprise visit by police or officials to search a place for illegal goods or to arrest people.
   • An attempt to take control of a company: In finance, a raid is an attempt to gain control of a company by buying a large amount of its stock.
   • An act of plundering: A raid can be a sudden act of stealing or taking things by force.

2. Verb:

   • To make a sudden attack on: To raid means to attack a place suddenly and forcefully.
   • To enter and search suddenly: To raid means for police or officials to enter a place unexpectedly to search it or make arrests.
   • To take something without permission: To raid means to take things, especially food or supplies, quickly and often secretly.
   • To attempt a hostile takeover: In finance, to raid means to try to take control of a company by buying its stock.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The commandos carried out a daring night raid. (The commandos executed a bold night attack.)
  • After the police raid, several suspects were arrested. (Several suspects were arrested following the sudden police operation.)
  • The corporate raid was unsuccessful. (The attempt to take over the company failed.)

• Verb:

  • Vikings used to raid coastal villages. (Vikings would often attack coastal villages suddenly.)
  • Officers raided the illegal gambling den. (Police officers entered and searched the illegal gambling place without warning.)
  • My brother raided the cookie jar when no one was looking. (My brother took cookies from the jar secretly.)

Advanced Usage

• "to carry out a raid": to execute or perform a sudden attack or search.

  • The special forces carried out a raid on the terrorist compound. (The special forces executed an attack on the terrorist base.)

• "dawn raid": a police operation or military attack that happens very early in the morning.

  • The arrests were made during a dawn raid. (The arrests occurred during a police operation at dawn.)

Variants and Related Words

• Raider (n): A person or group that carries out a raid.
  • The raiders escaped with the treasure. (The attackers escaped with the valuable items.)

Synonyms

• Noun: Incursion, foray, assault, bust (slang for police operation).
• Verb: Attack, storm, invade, plunder, loot.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Raid" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically contained in the single word.)

Related Idioms

• "Raid the fridge": To open the refrigerator and take food to eat, often at an odd time.
  • I'm going to raid the fridge for a midnight snack. (I'm going to take food from the refrigerator for a snack at midnight.)

Noun

1. an attempt by speculators to defraud investors
2. a sudden short attack

Verb

1. search for something needed or desired
   • Our babysitter raided our refrigerator
2. take over (a company) by buying a controlling interest of its stock
   • T. Boone Pickens raided many large companies
3. enter someone else's territory and take spoils
   • The pirates raided the coastal villages regularly
4. search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
   • The police raided the crack house