Jump to:

• strip search
  strip search

  noun

  an act or instance of strip-searching.
• strip-search
  strip-search

  verb (used with object)

  to search (a suspect who has been required to remove all clothing) especially for concealed weapons, contraband, or evidence of drug abuse.

strip search

¹ American  

noun

1. an act or instance of strip-searching.

---

strip-search ² American  

[strip-surch] / ˈstrɪpˌsɜrtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to search (a suspect who has been required to remove all clothing) especially for concealed weapons, contraband, or evidence of drug abuse.

---

strip-search British  

verb

1. (tr) (of police, customs officials, etc) to strip (a prisoner or suspect) naked to search him or her for contraband, narcotics, etc

---

noun

1. a search that involves stripping a person naked

Other Word Forms

• strip-searching
  noun

Example Sentences

According to reporting by Puck, it would have emphasized Michael’s “traumatizing” strip search, thus doubling down on a strategy that has worked so far: Making him the victim.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

“A police power that is as intrusive and traumatic for children as a strip search must be treated with the utmost care and responsibility,” said Commissioner Rachel de Souza, who published the report Monday.

From Washington Post • Aug. 9, 2022

“Forget the strip search for a minute, she’s not charged with that,” said Corey Chirafisi, Casper’s attorney.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 22, 2022

A professor who won an apology from police over sexist language during a strip search has said she felt like she had been on trial for eight years.

From BBC • Jan. 26, 2022

“They have other officers who can conduct and observe the strip search, but they made a choice they didn’t have to make, which says a lot about their attitudes toward incarcerated people.”

From Washington Times • Sep. 27, 2021