search warrant

noun

Law.

1. a court order authorizing the examination of a dwelling or other private premises by police officials, as for stolen goods.

search warrant

noun

1. a written order issued by a justice of the peace authorizing a constable or other officer to enter and search premises for stolen goods, drugs, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of search warrant¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

The initial targets of the raid were four Hispanic workers, according to the search warrant.

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Within days, the search warrant was signed for the Sept. 4 immigration raid at Hyundai’s Georgia facility.

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Police had a search warrant for Gibson’s property on Sept. 22, but the actor and the dogs were not there.

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After serving search warrants at multiple locations on Sept. 16, they arrested Romo Diaz in the killing, police said.

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A month later, Amiryan and his spouse were sitting on a balcony when a lifted red Ford F-150 pulled up outside their building, a Burbank detective wrote in a search warrant affidavit.

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Related Words

• summons