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

Etymology

Origin of search warrant

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

search warrant

But the investigation continues, and the Los Angeles Police Department in August sought a search warrant to go through her phone.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

Lucy said she had had no idea of her ex-husband's offending until police knocked on their door with a search warrant to seize his devices and arrested him.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

He secured a search warrant for the web-based phone numbers used in the scam.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 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

It's when she says that the social worker could be back in an hour with a search warrant to tear the house apart.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements

Related Words

• summons