re_simple_compiled.py

#!/usr/bin/env python

import re

# Precompile the patterns
regexes = [re.compile(p)
           for p in ['this', 'that']
           ]
text = 'Does this text match the pattern?'

print 'Text: %r\n' % text

for regex in regexes:
    print 'Seeking "%s" ->' % regex.pattern,

    if regex.search(text):
        print 'match!'
    else:
        print 'no match'