warrant

war-rant · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A document issued by a legal authority allowing police to make an arrest or search.

  2. 2.

    Justification or authority for an action.

  3. 3.

    [as verb]To justify or necessitate.

Forms

plural: warrants

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    arrest warrant — Court order to detain someone.
  • •
    search warrant — Authorization to search property.

Related words

See also: authorize, justify, permission
Synonyms: authorization, justification

Etymology

From Old North French warant ("protector, guarantee"), of Germanic origin.