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Synonyms

search warrant

American  

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 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of search warrant

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When Stafford obtained the warrant for Perkins’ arrest in November, he also secured a search warrant to collect a sample of her saliva.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Tamasi recalled asking Jones to make sure the tablet was included in the search warrant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Three additional patients were rescued Tuesday during the search warrant operation, bringing the total to 10 rescued seniors.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Martin Shipton, associate editor for Nation.Cymru, confirmed police forced entry into his house in Cardiff on Wednesday, and served him with a search warrant.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Again, she would have shown up at the apartment door by now with a search warrant if she knew about it.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.