warrant
WOR-uhnt
/ˈwɒrənt/
A judicial document authorizing law enforcement to make an arrest or search premises.
Requires probable cause and signature by a neutral judicial officer.
The story behind the word. Warrant comes from Frankish 'warand', meaning protection or guarantee. In medieval feudal law, a warrant protected the holder from legal liability when executing an order on behalf of the crown.
Word relationships
- authorization: Authorization is broad, whereas a warrant is specifically a judicial legal document.
- mandate: A mandate is an official command, not necessarily a judicial order to search or arrest.
- prohibition: A prohibition forbids an action, whereas a warrant legally authorizes it.
Commonly confused with
- subpoena: A warrant authorizes police to search or arrest; a subpoena commands a witness to appear or present documents.
Word family
- warranted (adjective): Justified, necessary, or officially authorized
- unwarranted (adjective): Lacking justification, fairness, or legal basis
Collocations
- search warrant
- arrest warrant
- issue a warrant
- execute a warrant
Idioms & expressions
- warranting attention
Example sentences
- "The judge signed a search warrant permitting police to enter the suspect's residence." Court authorization
- "The minor infraction did not warrant such a severe penalty from the board." General justification
Memory hook
A WARRANT WARNS that officers hold judicial authorization. Judicial guarantee of authority.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a simple commercial permit or administrative license.
Fun facts
- The French word 'garantie' (guarantee) shares the exact same medieval Germanic root as 'warrant'.
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