search engine

noun

: computer software used to search data (such as text or a database) for specified information

also : a site on the Internet that uses such software to locate key words in other sites

Examples of search engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Google responded by developing its own AI features, including its notoriously unreliable AI Overviews, and prominently integrating them into its search engine. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 29 Oct. 2026

Gabe Ruiz with Pinwheel says instead of a web browser, Pinwheel has its own kid-friendly search engine. — Kristine Sorensen, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

These large language models have entered our lives and become ubiquitous in such a short period of time, oozing their way into banking apps, email inboxes, online shopping, Zoom calls, search engines. — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

In contrast, younger adults expected AI to be a step in the search process, guiding them to seeking further information with the help of another option, such as a search engine. — Robin Brewer, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

search engine

noun

: computer software used to search data (as text or a database) for specified information

also : a website that uses such software