search warrant

American  

noun

Law.

• search warrants
  plural

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

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search warrant British  

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• search warrants
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of search warrant

First recorded in 1730–40

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

search warrant

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Stein’s home in Oakland and seized several electronic devices, police said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026

Agents from Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant authorized by a federal judge, according to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.

From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2026

A source familiar with the investigation but not authorized to discuss it said detectives were pursuing several leads and that one led them to get a search warrant to begin digging at the property.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

Rodger said a second incident involving Doherty on 6 March 2024, saw her access details about a search warrant being executed and pass on details about it to the same man as before.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

“You don’t have to call the police, Ms. Peck. We’re already here. We still have a search warrant, and we’re executing it.”

From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson

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