search warrant

noun

: a warrant authorizing a search (as of a house) for stolen goods or unlawful possessions

Examples of search warrant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Authorities secured a search warrant and found a Ruger .380 LCP pistol in the apartment loaded with rounds that matched an intact bullet found at the scene of the shooting, according to the affidavit. —

Alexandra E. Petri, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023 After that arrest, investigators obtained multiple search warrants for Heal's apartment and found a 9 mm pistol with a green laser light attached and ammunition consistent with evidence from the shooting. —

Tom Sissom, arkansasonline.com, 19 Nov. 2023 The suspect was released after law enforcement sources told the Detroit Free Press that investigators executed a search warrant on his home. —

Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 14 Nov. 2023 To solve the case, law enforcement used cellphone location data, DNA evidence, search warrants, surveillance video and the advantage of the FBI, who first arrested the suspect on grounds of lying to a federal officer. —

Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2023 Over the next several days, investigators executed search warrants at the Hallfords’ home in Colorado and at another building connected to their business. —

María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 Detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect and his Moorpark residence on Monday, according to the sheriff, who did not specify what investigators were looking for during the search. —

Tyler Kingkade, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023 Armed with a search warrant, authorities took possession of the animal and returned it for slaughter. —

Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2023 Officials also found 20 notebooks, five computers, a suicide note, and other notes written by Hale, according to a search warrant via WSAU. —

Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'search warrant.' 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

1739, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of search warrant was in 1739

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Search warrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/search%20warrant. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

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