rummaged; rummaging
1
: to make a thorough search or investigation
rummaged through his luggage for his passport
2
: to engage in an undirected or haphazard search
rummaged around in the refrigerator
1
: to make a thorough search through : ransack
rummaged the attic
2
: to examine minutely and completely
We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and read …—
Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle3
: to discover by searching
… rummaged a sword and red sash from somewhere …—Mary B. Chesnut
Mary B. Chesnut
rummager
noun
1
a
: a confused miscellaneous collection
b
: items for sale at a rummage sale
2
: a thorough search especially among a confusion of objects
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
Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2025
This sleek, clear bag makes the liquids rule effortless, so, no more rummaging at security or awkwardly unpacking mid-line.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Our bill will block the President and his 'DOGE' from moving forward with their plans to close field offices, undermine customer service at the Social Security Administration, and rummage through your personal records.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rummage
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Verb
Dogs around Delhi usually mind their business, which includes basking in the sun, rummaging through trash for food or chasing away rats.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2025
This sleek, clear bag makes the liquids rule effortless, so, no more rummaging at security or awkwardly unpacking mid-line.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
At that rummage-y point several years ago, Ben Stiller had no idea where his filmic lark would lead.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Our bill will block the President and his 'DOGE' from moving forward with their plans to close field offices, undermine customer service at the Social Security Administration, and rummage through your personal records.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rummage
Cite this Entry
“Rummage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rummage. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rummage
1 of 2 verb
rum·mage
ˈrəm-ij 
rummaged; rummaging
: to make an active search especially by moving, turning, or looking through the contents of a place or container
rummaging through the attic
rummage
2 of 2 noun
: a confused miscellaneous collection of articles
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