search engine

noun

: computer software used to search data (such as text or a database) for specified information
also : a site on the World Wide Web that uses such software to locate key words in other sites

Examples of search engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Set alerts to your flight dates in a search engine. Wilson Santiago Burgos, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Travelers from these two cohorts are also more likely to be influenced by social media as opposed to search engines or travel guides. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 15 Mar. 2024 Google was just one of several mainstream search engines, not yet a monopolistic empire. Steffi Cao, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 The change is under way, as a glut of synthetic media is tripping up search engines such as Google. Nathaniel Lubin, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 Robin Li, chairman and CEO of Chinese search engine operator Baidu, is having trouble convincing investors about his company’s growth outlook – even with the billionaire’s recent advances in the red-hot generative AI market. Yue Wang, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The government has argued that Google wielded its massive spending power by paying billions of dollars a year to companies like Apple to maintain its default search engine position on their platforms and devices, locking rivals out of the market. Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 23 Feb. 2024 Android users can pick which search engine to use by default, while iPhone users will get to choose which browser will be their go-to. Kelvin Chan, Fortune Europe, 6 Mar. 2024 Lessons From Influencer Marketing Don't Neglect Niche Influencers In today's digital age, where social media serves as both an information hub and a search engine, brand managers working with influencers are recognizing the need for a more expansive and diverse approach. Aurelie Sauthier, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'search engine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of search engine was in 1984

Dictionary Entries Near search engine

Cite this Entry

“Search engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/search%20engine. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on search engine

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