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

Trash, we learn, is no longer private once it hits the curb: Sidewalks are public enough that no search warrant is needed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

Michael Brown’s remains were found in December 2025 underneath a home where Rhone used to reside after investigators executed a search warrant at the property, according to the release.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

The commission heard how both officials entered the premises of a logistics company in the east of Johannesburg without a search warrant.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

District Judge Jean-Paul Boulee declared on Wednesday that Fulton County did not sufficiently prove that the FBI acted with “callous disregard” when it secured a search warrant to execute its January raid.

From Slate • May 8, 2026

Mr. Shine, our lawyer, was at the house when the detective and two deputies returned that afternoon with a search warrant.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

Related Words

• summons