To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of strip search
: a search for something concealed on a person made after removal of the person's clothing
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from strip search
strip-search \ ˈstrip-ˌsərch 
\ verb
\ verbExamples of strip search in a Sentence
The administrators ordered random strip searches of all prisoners.
Recent Examples on the Web Overall, almost 4,000 girls and women of all ages were strip searched over that period, with the most common reason being to search for drugs.
—
Julia Hollingsworth, CNN, "Girls as young as 12 strip searched by Australian police: official statistics," 7 Nov. 2019 The new statistics follow months of increasing scrutiny of the growing practice of strip searches by police officers.
—
Isabella Kwai, New York Times, "Girls as Young as 12 Were Strip-Searched in Australia," 6 Nov. 2019 Patients aren’t regularly strip searched, the ruling says.
—
Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, "Judge orders state to end practice of holding psychiatric patients in jails, ERs," 22 Oct. 2019 The hospitals have reduced the use of strip searches and physical restraints, Biviano said.
—
Martha Bellisle, The Seattle Times, "Lawsuit settlement gives some Washington state psychiatric patients more rights," 8 Aug. 2019 Uzair Paracha, a former inmate for two years, told The New York Post guards frequently strip searched him, isolated him and left lights on for 22 or 23 hours a day.
—
Elizabeth Lawrence, USA TODAY, "'Torture,' 'roach motel': Conditions at jail where Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide decried by inmates for years," 10 Aug. 2019 Those included strip searches following family visits, shackling, imposed silence at meals, and confinement to cells as a disciplinary measure.
—
Joaquin Palomino, SFChronicle.com, "Attorney, youth, public officials detail disturbing conditions in SF juvenile hall," 11 Sep. 2019 Their lawsuit alleged they had been subjected to strip searches and body cavity searches, and were detained with unrelated adults.
—
Katie Reilly, Time, "Trump Administration Moves to End Rule Limiting Detention of Migrant Children," 21 Aug. 2019 Flores and the other children alleged they were housed in brutal conditions, in razor wired-fenced facilities with adult men and women, while being subjected to abuse and routine strip searches.
—
CBS News, "Trump administration to detain migrant families and children for far longer with new rule," 21 Aug. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strip search.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on strip search
What made you want to look up strip search? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share strip search
Time Traveler for strip search
The first known use of strip search was in 1947
See more words from the same year