Definition

Noun: A specific operation or task undertaken with the primary objective of locating, finding, or discovering something or someone that is missing, hidden, or unknown.

Usage

This term is used to describe a formal, organized effort, often involving a team and specific resources, to find something. It implies a clear goal and a structured process. - The coast guard launched a search mission for the missing sailors. - The archaeologists began a search mission to find the ancient ruins. - The company initiated a search mission for a new CEO.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on a search mission": To be actively engaged in the process of searching.
  • The rescue team is on a search mission in the mountains.
• "to launch/mount a search mission": To formally start or organize a search operation.
  • Authorities mounted a massive search mission after the earthquake.

Variants and Related Words

• Search (n/v): The general act of looking for something.
  • The search for the lost keys took an hour.
• Search and rescue mission (n): A specific type of search mission aimed at finding and saving people in distress.
  • The helicopter was part of a search and rescue mission.

Synonyms

• Quest: A long or arduous search for something.
• Manhunt: An organized search for a person, especially a criminal.
• Reconnaissance mission: A military observation of a region to locate an enemy or gather information.

Related Phrases

• Search party: A group of people organized to look for someone or something.
  • A search party was formed to look for the hiker.
• In search of: Trying to find.
  • They went into the forest in search of rare plants.

Related Idioms

• Needle in a haystack: Used to describe a for something extremely difficult to find.
  • Finding the original document in that archive was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Noun

1. a mission to discover something