browse

verb

\ ˈbrau̇z

browsed; browsing

Definition of browse

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a of an animal : to eat (tender shoots, twigs, leaves of trees and shrubs, etc.) : to consume as browse (see browse entry 2 sense 1) browsing thistles

b : graze

2 : to look over casually : skim browsing the want ads

3 computers : to access (a network) by means of a browser

intransitive verb

1a of an animal : to feed on or as if on tender shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees and shrubs : to feed on or as if on browse

b : graze cows browsing in the pasture

2a : to skim through a book reading passages that catch the eye

b : to look over or through an aggregate of things casually especially in search of something of interest browsing through the store's magazine section

browse

noun

Definition of browse (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : tender shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees and shrubs used by animals for food

2 : an act or instance of browsing a quick browse through the want ads

Other Words from browse Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about browse

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Synonyms for browse

Synonyms: Verb

forage, graze, pasture, rustle

Examples of browse in a Sentence

Verb

Several customers were browsing in the bookstore. He was browsing the want ads in the newspaper. cows browsing in the pasture

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The shop itself nearly resembles a carousel, with shoppers browsing in loops, circling an animated and flashy rotunda while music enchants and an eye-catching ceiling mobile dances. — Zachary Schwartz, Vogue, "Pride Month Came Early at the Bloomingdale’s Pride for All Dinner," 30 May 2019 The boutique is set up like a store, where customers can browse clothes on racks and bring them to a counter to check out. — Rachel Lerman, The Seattle Times, "The power of readers’ generosity: The Seattle Times kicks off latest Fund For the Needy," 19 Nov. 2018 Aimlessly browsing for the perfect sofa is exhausting, and sorting through thousands of search results online is even harder. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "What You Should Know Before Buying Furniture From Interior Define," 31 Oct. 2018 As gifts, only buy edible items: head to a supermarket and browse for unfamiliar local candy, chocolate, or other non-perishables. — Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "How to Buy a Souvenir You Won't Regret," 19 Sep. 2018 Try this beginner lifting workout, and browse SELF's Workout Finder for many more ideas. — Gray Chapman, SELF, "Here's How I Conquered Weight Room Anxiety," 8 Sep. 2018 As can be surmised, the boardwalk is one of the main attractions for tourists and locals alike, allowing visitors to view sculptures, browse local stores, and grab a bite from vendors or nearby restaurants. — Alex Vros, Fox News, "Puerto Vallarta: How this popular Hollywood haunt became a world-class getaway," 19 July 2018 In September, Pinterest, which launched in 2010, surpassed 250 million monthly active users, who visit the site to browse through and share billions of images on topics ranging from living-room furniture to dinner recipes and tattoos. — Maureen Farrell, WSJ, "Pinterest Files Confidentially for IPO," 22 Feb. 2019 One popular option is Literotica, which has over 30 different erotica categories to browse. — Jenni Miller, SELF, "7 Ways to Find Truly Sexy Erotica, According to Someone Who Reads Tons of It," 22 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Stars of the park include the big cats (bobcats, lynx, and cougar), roly-poly black bears, and moose that munch all manner of browse, unperturbed by squealing youngsters. — Patricia Harris And David Lyon, BostonGlobe.com, "Goin’ up the country: The rustic appeal of Maine’s Route 26," 21 June 2018 After a browse there, the art walk proceeds on to the Mexican Cultural Center and a reception inside the Mexican General Consulate building. — Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "10 Fun, Free Things to Do in L.A. This May," 1 May 2018 In contrast, the surrounding hillside is dreamily serene: A modest herd of cattle browses in one field, clusters of tups (rams) and ewes with lambs in the others. — Kieran Dodds, Smithsonian, "Britain’s Lake District Was Immortalized by Beatrix Potter, But Is Its Future in Peril?," 20 Apr. 2018 Sip cocktails and nibble on party snacks as your browse and get inspired. — cleveland.com, "Say 'I Do' to these 18 Northeast Ohio wedding events in 2018," 9 Jan. 2018 The best option is to give them more of the winter foods they are already adapted to eating - winter browse. — Evan Macdonald, cleveland.com, "No one harmed in Christmas house fire in Broadview Heights," 25 Dec. 2017 Touchdown in Lathrop led me straight to Enchanted Frog for a nice relaxing browse through this mystical antique store. — kansascity, "Where the bridge forks: two roads to two very different winter day trips | The Kansas City Star," 13 Dec. 2017 In fact, the zoo gets much of its browse from a super-secret Honda test track outside of Columbus that’s surrounded by lush wetland vegetation. — Jason Bittel, Smithsonian, "When Disaster Strikes, the Zoo Must Go On," 11 Sep. 2017 Their first-ever permanent brick-and-mortar location is basically an IRL browse through Goop.com. — Sara Tardiff, ELLE Decor, "Goop Has Officially Opened Its First Permanent Shop And It's Every Lifestyle Blogger's Dream," 18 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'browse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for browse

Verb

Middle English brouusen, probably from Anglo-French brouts browse entry 2

Noun

probably modification of Anglo-French brouts, plural of brout sprout, of Germanic origin; akin to Old Saxon brustian to sprout, and perhaps to Old English brēost breast — more at breast

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