sear

1 of 4

adjective

less common spelling of sere

1

: being dried and withered

2

archaic : threadbare

sear

2 of 4

verb

ˈsir 

seared; searing; sears

intransitive verb

: to cause withering or drying

transitive verb

1

: to make withered and dry : parch

2

a

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

b

: to cook the surface of quickly with intense heat

sear a steak

sear

3 of 4

noun (1)

: a mark or scar left by searing

sear

4 of 4

noun (2)

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

Synonyms

Verb

• char
• scorch
• singe

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

Outdoor cooking season is in full swing, but not everyone feels confident firing up the grill to sear steaks and char vegetables. —Joey Skladany, Saveur, 6 Aug. 2024

Police were called to help the cat after it was seen wandering down the street in searing temperatures with a cup stuck on its head in Palmhurst in far southern Texas. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2024

Between the lines: A searing heat wave earlier this summer spotlighted the changing climate's threat to Greece's summer tourism industry, and the country was the site of the EU's largest wildfire on record just last summer. —Andrew Freedman, Axios, 13 Aug. 2024

Authorities have warned people not to underestimate the impacts of searing temperatures. —Chris Liakos, CNN, 12 Aug. 2024

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

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

1874, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1596, in the meaning defined above

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