search engine

American  

[surch en-juhn] / ˈsɜrtʃ ˌɛn dʒən /

noun

Digital Technology.

1. a computer program that searches documents, especially on the World Wide Web, for a specified word or words and provides a list of documents in which they are found.

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search engine British  

noun

1. computing a service provided on the internet enabling users to search for items of interest

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search engine Cultural  

1. Web sites or software that search the Internet for documents that contain a key word, phrase, or subject that is specified by the user to the search engine. Each engine has its own method of searching for information.

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Etymology

Origin of search engine

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

The CFP Board, which manages the Certified Financial Planner designation, has a search engine to help individuals find financial planning professionals.

From MarketWatch

But Zillow gets only a small percentage of its traffic from search engine marketing, and managing real estate listings is highly complex and regulated, limiting the risk of disintermediation—or cutting out middlemen.

From The Wall Street Journal

On its website, the Contractors State License has a search engine to check contractors’ names or license numbers.

From Los Angeles Times

Some people now choose chatbots over search engines and social media to plan holidays, find Christmas gifts and discover recipes.

From BBC

Google is also part of that fight, he said, as the dominant search engine incorporates more AI features into its platform.

From MarketWatch