search warrant

noun

: a warrant authorizing a search (as of a house) for stolen goods or unlawful possessions

Examples of search warrant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The state also has policies to prevent federal authorities from accessing motor vehicle and driver's license records of immigrants without a court order or search warrant. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 On Thursday, detectives served search warrants at six locations throughout Sacramento County, Modesto and Tulare County and arrested the three suspects the homicide and conspiracy charges. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026 However, Andrew has had somewhat of a win, after Thames Valley Police acknowledged that officers used unlawful search warrants to get information from Andrew’s homes. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2026 During the execution of the search warrant, detectives contacted Shoes n Shoes owner Waseem Saman. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for search warrant

Word History

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of search warrant was in 1739

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Cite this Entry

“Search warrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/search%20warrant. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

search warrant

noun
: a warrant making legal a search of a specified place (as a house) for stolen goods or unlawful possessions (as illegal drugs)

Legal Definition

search warrant

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