rummage

verb

rum·mage | \ ˈrə-mij

rummaged; rummaging

Definition of rummage

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to make a thorough search or investigation

2 : to engage in an undirected or haphazard search

transitive verb

1 : to make a thorough search through : ransack rummaged the attic

2 : to examine minutely and completely

3 : to discover by searching

rummage

noun

Definition of rummage (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a confused miscellaneous collection

b : items for sale at a rummage sale

2 : a thorough search especially among a confusion of objects

Other Words from rummage Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about rummage

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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

In a video that was also taken of the bear, it can be seen slowly moving through the terrain, rummaging through an empty can. — Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, "Photographer behind viral image of starving polar bear raises questions about climate change narrative," 27 July 2018 When the deadline passed, video surfaced of Pittsburgh players rummaging through his former locker to collect gear. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "Le’Veon Bell and the Diminishing Value of Running Backs in the NFL," 16 Nov. 2018 While most families were rummaging through their year in photos, searching for just one perfect picture for their Christmas card, Prince Charles was doing double duty. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Prince Charles Actually Sent Out Two Christmas Cards This Year," 26 Dec. 2018 In the video, the squirrel can be seen rummaging through the store's candy bin as a an employee tries to chase it away. — Sun Sentinel Staff, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Squirrely thief gets away with the goods (goodies) at Disnye's Magic Kingdom," 13 June 2018 Sitting courtside, the singer was spotted rummaging through her vintage Dior bag, which sounds like an ideal way to pass the time at a basketball game. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Rihanna Was The Real Winner At Last Night's NBA Finals Game," 2 June 2017 Best part of your job: Playing with new shapes and fabrics—and rummaging around flea markets for inspiration. — Michaela Bechler, Vogue, "Shop Fall Fashion Inspired by 14 Real Working Women," 20 Sep. 2018 The man was rummaging through a shopping cart on Main Street near Vesta Street when the victim tried to give him the drink about 8:30 p.m., Officer Robert Heims said. — Lyndsay Winkley, latimes.com, "Woman in San Diego is stabbed after offering man a Gatorade," 10 June 2018 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

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.

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Dictionary Entries near rummage

Statistics for rummage

Last Updated

5 Mar 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for rummage

The first known use of rummage was in 1582

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More Definitions for rummage

rummage

verb

English Language Learners Definition of rummage

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to search for something especially by moving and looking through the contents of a place

rummage

noun

English Language Learners Definition of rummage (Entry 2 of 2)

chiefly British : the act of looking for something among a group of things

See the full definition for rummage in the English Language Learners Dictionary

rummage

verb

rum·mage | \ ˈrə-mij

rummaged; rummaging

Kids Definition of rummage

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to search especially by moving and looking through the contents of a place or container … Henry and his father rummaged through the basement until they found a gallon jar …— Beverly Cleary, Henry Huggins