- array_search: documentation ( source)
<?php
$arr = array('0'=>array('a'=>'alpha','b'=>'bravo','c'=>'charlie'), '1'=>array('d'=>'delta','e'=>'echo','f'=>'foxtrot'), '2'=>array('g'=>'gulf','h'=>'hotel','i'=>'indian'));
if ($key = array_search('charlie',$arr) !== false)
{
echo $arr[$key];
}