The term "lookup" generally refers to the process of retrieving specific information by searching a database or record. In various contexts, "lookup" can mean:

• Company Lookup: Finding detailed information about a company, such as registered address, directors, and financial documents, through government or official business registers (e.g., the UK's Companies House or EU business registers).

• WHOIS Lookup: Searching domain registration data for internet domains or IP addresses to get ownership, registration dates, and contact details. This is done using WHOIS or RDAP protocols to access databases maintained by registrars and registry operators (e.g., ICANN Lookup, Whois.com).

In essence, a lookup is a targeted search for information tied to a unique identifier like a company name, domain name, or IP address, enabling retrieval of associated official, technical, or business data.