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Warrant: meaning, definitions and examples

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warrant

 

[ˈwɒrənt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal document

A legal document issued by a court authorizing the police to make an arrest, search premises, or carry out some other action relating to the administration of justice.

Synonyms

authorization, license, permit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
warrant

A legal document issued by a judge or magistrate, allowing the police to take a particular action like searching a place or making an arrest.

  • The police obtained a warrant to search his house
  • The judge issued an arrest warrant for the suspect
authorization

General permission or power given to someone to do something, often in an official, formal, or written manner.

  • She got authorization from her boss to work from home
  • You need authorization to access this area
permit

An official document giving someone permission to do something, typically related to activities that are regulated by law, such as building, parking, or holding an event.

  • The city granted a permit for the street festival
  • You need a permit to park here overnight
license

A document granting permission to do something, typically issued by a government or other authority, often in the context of driving, business, or professional activities.

  • He renewed his driver's license last week
  • The restaurant has a license to serve alcohol

Examples of usage

  • The police obtained a warrant to search the suspect's house.
  • The judge signed a warrant for the arrest of the criminal.
Context #2 | Verb

justify or necessitate

To justify or necessitate (a certain course of action).

Synonyms

deserve, justify, merit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
warrant

Can be used to indicate justification or necessity without formal authority, similar to 'justify'.

  • The teacher’s approach to the topic warrants praise.
  • This situation warrants a closer look.
justify

Appropriate when explaining or proving why an action or decision is reasonable or necessary.

  • Can you justify the expense of this project?
  • He couldn't justify his lateness to the meeting.
merit

Used to discuss qualifications or worthiness, often in professional or academic settings.

  • Her proposal merits further consideration.
  • This student’s hard work merits praise.
deserve

Often used to indicate that someone has earned something through their actions or qualities.

  • She worked hard all year, so she deserves a vacation.
  • He doesn’t deserve such harsh criticism.

Examples of usage

  • His rude behavior warrants an apology.
  • Her hard work warrants a promotion.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old French term 'garant', meaning a protector or a guarantee.
  • It dates back to the Latin word 'warantus', which means to protect or ensure.
  • The meaning has evolved from a general concept of assurance to a more specific legal term.

Law and Justice

  • In legal contexts, warrants are crucial for maintaining individual rights by requiring authorities to gain judicial permission before acting.
  • There are various types of warrants, including arrest warrants, search warrants, and bench warrants, each serving specific legal purposes.
  • The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, making proper warrants essential.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and TV shows, warrants are often depicted as dramatic moments when police raid a location, emphasizing the element of surprise.
  • The phrase 'no-knock warrant' gained notoriety in recent years, representing cases where police enter without warning, raising public debate.
  • Warrants have played significant roles in crime dramas, directly influencing plot developments and character arcs.

Science

  • The concept of a warrant extends to scientific validation, where a 'warrant' refers to evidence supporting a claim in research.
  • In philosophy, the term 'warrant' describes the justification for believing a claim to be true, linking it to theories of knowledge.
  • The understandings of warrants in scientific contexts help in establishing credibility and reliability of findings.

Psychology

  • Psychological research examines how warrants (in terms of legal understanding) affect individuals' perceptions of authority and compliance.
  • Understanding how warrants operate can also inform discussions about obedience, trust in institutions, and civil rights awareness.
  • The feeling of having a warrant can evoke reactions, where people might comply or resist based on their trust in the authority issuing it.

Translations

Translations of the word "warrant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mandado

🇮🇳 वारंट

🇩🇪 Haftbefehl

🇮🇩 surat perintah

🇺🇦 ордер

🇵🇱 nakaz

🇯🇵 令状

🇫🇷 mandat

🇪🇸 orden

🇹🇷 tutuklama emri

🇰🇷 영장

🇸🇦 مذكرة

🇨🇿 příkaz

🇸🇰 príkaz

🇨🇳 逮捕令

🇸🇮 nalog

🇮🇸 heimild

🇰🇿 ордер

🇬🇪 საპატრულო

🇦🇿 order

🇲🇽 orden

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,910, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.