Definition of RUMMAGE

Examples of rummage in a Sentence

Verb

He rummaged through the attic for his baseball card collection. He rummaged in his pocket for the receipt. I heard you rummaging around in the refrigerator.

Noun

a rummage of textbooks, notebooks, and old school papers all over the desk

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Who knows which other long-ago classmates might next rummage through their memories to recall what Mr. Kavanaugh might have done that no one else can remember? — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The Politics of Destruction," 24 Sep. 2018 Sheldon retreats to the other room, rummaging through papers hoping to find something—anything—that could give insight into what just happened. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "The Big Bang Theory Season 12, Episode 9 Recap: Amy and Sheldon's Project Falls Apart," 15 Nov. 2018 While passing through New York, The Regrettes let The Verge rummage through their bags (and one jacket) to see what these pop-punk firebrands carry with from day to day. — Dani Deahl, The Verge, "What’s In Your Bag, The Regrettes?," 5 Nov. 2018 Video allegedly showed the suspect rummaging through the pockets of victims. — Benjamin Brown, Fox News, "Suspect arrested in brutal bat attacks on homeless men in California," 25 Sep. 2018 An unsecured vehicle in the 500 block of Cherry Street was rummaged through; it was reported on June 18 but nothing was taken. — Brian L. Cox, chicagotribune.com, "Police: Separate residential burglaries reported in Winnetka, Northfield," 27 June 2018 Police reported other vehicles in the area had been rummaged through, but nothing was thought to have been taken. — Bill Kurtz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Unsecured guns stolen in Mequon," 5 June 2018 There are thousands more unconfirmed discoveries, and researchers continue to find new ways to rummage through Kepler’s data trove. — Sean O'kane, The Verge, "NASA put its famous planet-hunting telescope to sleep because it’s almost out of fuel," 6 July 2018 In 2010 and 2011, Alexandria schools reported six incidents involving the children to the state Department of Human Services, including reports that the children had been rummaging through trash for food and taking food from other students. — Joe Heim And Julie Tate, chicagotribune.com, "As children begged for help, adoption system failed them," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Good Shepherd's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1235 S. 100th St., West Allis, is hosting a neighborhood rummage from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 9. — Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Get a job with the Wisconsin State Fair, get a deal at a rumage and party like a librarian," 28 May 2018 Former president and current member Marie Weber said socializing gave way to fundraising, especially through rummage and bake sales, Christmas house tours and by creating and selling local phone directories. — Jim Stingl, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Stingl: With membership dwindling, once-thriving Hales Corners Woman's Club is disbanding," 24 Apr. 2018 Important note: Last week's announcement failed to give a date for the Western Reserve Masonic Community's annual rummage and estate sale. — 'sam' Boyer/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Young speakers impress the audience: Whit & Whimsey," 20 Apr. 2018 Today’s stores, all close to the Brooklyn apartment that Cumming, Faber and Kivlen once shared, are rummage-friendly. — Alice Hines, New York Times, "How a Rising Rock Band Shops for Vintage," 29 Mar. 2018 Also lots of household rummage, books, crafting items and collectibles/treasures. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 4. — cleveland.com, "Holiday sales and bazaars pop up for the 2017 season around Northeast Ohio," 26 Oct. 2017 Featuring local crafters, complimentary gift wrapping, holiday rummage, and items made by our own residents. — cleveland.com, "Holiday sales and bazaars pop up for the 2017 season around Northeast Ohio," 26 Oct. 2017 Her novels—filled with vicars, church jumble (rummage) sales, cups of tea, narcissistic men, and anthropologists—are sometimes compared to those of Jane Austen for their delicate irony, but Pym was less sanguine about romantic love. — Laura Miller, Slate Magazine, "A new book about the diets of notable women redeems the whole sentimental, self-indulgent genre of food writing.," 12 July 2017 Merrillville rummage sale Protection of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church will hold its fifth annual Rummage Sale Friday through Sunday at the church, located at 8600 Grand Blvd. in Merrillville. — Post-Tribune, "Community news," 23 Aug. 2017

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

History and Etymology for rummage

Verb

Noun

obsolete English romage act of stowing cargo, modification of Middle French arrimage, from arrimer to stow, from a- (from Latin ad-) + -rimer, from Middle English rimen to open up, make room for, from Old English rȳman — more at ream

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