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

FBI agents executed a search warrant at the Virginia home of Washington Post reporter, Hannah Natanson, earlier this year as part of an investigation into alleged mishandling of classified information by a government contractor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026

Because an “individual has a legitimate expectation of privacy in his cellphone location data,” she said police investigators need a valid search warrant from a magistrate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026

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

A search warrant was also served at the couple’s home and storage units in San Clemente, according to the statement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026

The plainclothesman in front of her flashed a badge, showed a search warrant, and brusquely asked Mary for permission to enter.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

Related Words

• summons