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search engine
noun
: computer software used to search data (such as text or a database) for specified information
also
: a site on the World Wide Web that uses such software to locate key words in other sites
Examples of search engine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So much is driven now by what the search engine shows you in the first few seconds.
—Lis Anderson, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Besides seeking a Chrome spinoff and corralling of the Android software, the Justice Department wants the judge to ban Google from forging multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple's iPhone and other devices.
—CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
Photos were also shared of the search engine's homepage, seemingly emblazoned with a massive photo of Harris, as the vice president and former President Donald Trump held out on results overnight.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Users can choose to query the search engine directly by clicking on a globe icon.
—Ina Fried, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1984, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near search engine
Cite this Entry
“Search engine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/search%20engine. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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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