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.

---

search engine British  

noun

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

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of search engine

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Although Google is the dominant search engine, ChatGPT is sending more visitors than Google's built-in AI.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Through methods like search engine optimization and other nifty page-ranking subterfuge, this nonverified content climbs to the top of search results and people’s consciousness.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

Some are using ChatGPT as a glorified search engine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

AI search engine Perplexity has been testing ads in the United States since 2024, while Google is also testing ads in the AI "overviews" its namesake search engine has been offering since last year.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

As Gabi opens the search engine on her computer, I find myself thinking about Bubbe and why she might have this newspaper page in her box, hidden even more deeply than the rest.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler