sear

1 of 4

verb

ˈsir 

seared; searing; sears

transitive verb

1

a

: to cook the surface of quickly with intense heat

sear a steak

b

: to burn, scorch, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden application of intense heat

2

: to make withered and dry : parch

intransitive verb

: to cause withering or drying

sear

2 of 4

noun (1)

: a mark or scar left by searing

sear

3 of 4

noun (2)

: the catch that holds the hammer of a gun's lock at cock or half cock

sear

4 of 4

adjective

less common spelling of sere

1

: being dried and withered

2

archaic : threadbare

Synonyms of sear

Verb

• char
• scorch

Examples of sear in a Sentence

Verb

The tree was seared by lightning.

The flames seared my skin.

The steak was seared over a hot grill.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Originally opened as the Talk of the Town steakhouse in 1974, Lakeland’s Texas Cattle Company has been searing and serving ’em up since 1984. —Usa Today Network, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

Add both roasts and sear on all sides until well browned, 5 to 7 minutes. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Noun

Every bite reflects the restaurant’s commitment to quality and technique, from the precise sear to the juicy center. —Usa Today Network, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

Cast-iron pans really do give you a lot of bang for your buck—a $25 Victoria skillet can fry eggs, roast a chicken, sear steaks, and even get tossed into your outdoor pizza oven to roast vegetables without taking much wear and tear. —Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English seren, from Old English sēarian to become dry, from sēar sere

Noun (2)

probably from Middle French serre grasp, from serrer to press, grasp, from Old French, from Late Latin serare to bolt, latch, from Latin sera bar for fastening a door

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun (1)

1874, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1596, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sear

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• clear
• dear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• hear

Kids Definition

sear

1 of 2 verb

ˈsi(ə)r

1

: to cause withering or drying : parch, shrivel

harsh winds that sear and burn

2

a

: to burn, scorch, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden heat

b

: to cook the surface of quickly with intense heat

sear a steak

sear

2 of 2 noun

: a mark or scar left by searing