The act or state of looking for something; searching for an item.
今朝から探し物をしていて遅刻した。
I was looking for something since this morning and was late.
探し物が見つからなくてイライラしている。
I'm irritated because I can't find what I'm looking for.
鍵を探し物しているときは落ち着いて一箇所ずつ探そう。
When looking for your keys, stay calm and check one place at a time.
The object being sought; the lost or desired item itself.
探し物はソファの隙間に挟まっていた。
The thing I was looking for was wedged in the couch gap.
その古い写真は彼にとって長年の探し物だった。
That old photo had been something he'd been searching for for years.
図書館での探し物は受付で相談すると見つかりやすい。
If you're looking for something in the library, asking at the desk makes it easier to find.