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Meaning & use

the raid

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ðə reɪd/
US/ðə reɪd/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    a sudden, short attack on a place by police or soldiers, often to catch criminals or seize something

    Grammar: Countable; often followed by 'on' and the place: 'a raid on the hideout'.

    Patterns

    • a raid on something
    • carry out a raid
    • police raid

    Police carried out a raid on the warehouse and found stolen goods.

    The soldiers launched a raid on the enemy camp at dawn.

    Several people were arrested in the raid.

  2. nouncountable

    a short surprise visit by officials to check that rules are being followed

    Grammar: Countable; often used in phrases like 'a raid on a restaurant' or 'a tax raid'.

    Patterns

    • a raid on a business
    • tax raid
    • immigration raid

    Health inspectors made a surprise raid on the restaurant.

    The tax office conducted a raid on the company's offices.

  3. nouncountablesportinformal

    in American football, a play in which the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage

    Grammar: Countable; usually used in sports reports. Often called a 'quarterback sack', but 'raid' is sometimes used informally.

    Patterns

    • make a raid
    • a raid on the quarterback

    The linebacker made a raid on the quarterback and forced a fumble.

    Their defense is known for its aggressive raids.

Word forms

pluralraids

Common combinations

police raid
The police raid took everyone by surprise.
launch a raid
The army launched a raid on the border town.
a raid on a place
There was a raid on the bank last night.
carry out a raid
Officials carried out a raid on the illegal market.

Synonyms and how they differ

attack
A general word for any violent act against someone or something; 'raid' is shorter, sudden, and often by a small group.
bust
Informal for a police raid, especially when drugs are involved; 'raid' is more neutral and official.

Word family

raider noun
a person who takes part in a raid
raid verb
to make a sudden attack on a place

Commonly confused: the raid or raid vs. invasion?

the raid vs raid vs. invasion

A raid is a short, sudden attack; an invasion is a large-scale entry by an army intending to occupy.

Practice

The police ______ a raid on the suspected drug house early this morning.

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