search engine

noun

: computer software used to search data (such as text or a database) for specified information
also : a site on the Internet that uses such software to locate key words in other sites

Examples of search engine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That battle moved from brochures to search engines, from search to social media and online travel agencies, and now to generative AI. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Imagine if early astronomers, medical researchers and philosophers used modern-day AI technology and limited their studies to the automatic answers that pop up in search engines. — Patricia Steckler, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2026 The data revealed that non-tech users (20%) intend to spend $381, compared to $494 for consumers using search engines (30%), $531 for search and social media users (21%) and $737 for search, social and generative AI users (29%). — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026 Online booking sites can be risky, especially since scammers can pay for their fake websites to move to the top of search engine results pages. — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for search engine

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of search engine was in 1984

Browse Nearby Words

search coil
search engine
search ephemeris
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Search engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/search%20engine. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

search engine

noun
: computer software used to search data (as text or a database) for specified information
also : a website that uses such software

More from Merriam-Webster on search engine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about search engine

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