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

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

Harvey’s collection was so vast that the Lyft driver became suspicious, according to a police search warrant affidavit reviewed by The Times.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

There's a pause, and the silence is filled with questions, questions like, "Where is he—really?" and "Do you know how fast I could have a search warrant?" and "You know this isn't over, don't you?"

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements

Related Words

• summons