Warrant

/ˈwɒɹənt/ · noun

Meaning

Authorization or certification; a sanction, as given by a superior..

Definitions by Sense

1. Authorization or certification; a sanction, as given by a superior.
2. (countable) Something that provides assurance or confirmation; a guarantee or proof.
3. (countable) An order that serves as authorization; especially a voucher authorizing payment or receipt of money.
4. (finance, countable) An option, usually issued together with another security and with a term at issue greater than a year, to buy other securities of the issuer.
5. (law, countable) A judicial writ authorizing an officer to make a search, seizure, or arrest, or to execute a judgment.
6. (military, countable) Ellipsis of warrant officer.
7. (New Zealand, road transport, countable) A document certifying that a motor vehicle meets certain standards of mechanical soundness and safety; a warrant of fitness.
8. (obsolete, countable) A defender, a protector.

Example Sentences

Two years after the first appearance on the London stage by an English actress, a royal warrant of 1660 decreed that women rather than boys were to play all female roles.

a warrant of authenticity; a warrant for success

The brazen serpent, lifted up in the centre of Israel's camp, with the publick declaration of its use, was a sufficient warrant to every man, when bitten by a fiery serpent, to look unto it. But [...] if any looked without at all expecting a cure according to the word of the Lord, they must have perished; not for want of a warrant to believe; but because they did not submit to the wisdom and authority of God, or rely on his faithfulness and mercy, in this appointed way of preservation.

"None. But," said Francesca, hesitatingly, "will not Lord Avonleigh need some warrant for the truth of this history?"

He almost gives his failings as a warrant for his greatness.

And also be in enactid by the auctorite aforseid that no manꝰ [man's] clerke or clerkes or other parsone or parsones do wryte or make any maner of wryting warraunt or warrauntes, upon any maner gyfte or graunte made by the Kynges Highnes or by any other his Gracys offycers as aforsaide, [...]

A Warraunt to Sir Edmond Peckham Knight, for twenty Pounds to be delivered to Fraunces Pitche, being ſent with Lettres to the Quene's Ambaſſador reſydent with the Frenche King.

But they [police juries] have no power to [...] issue promissory notes or warrants to cover funds which may be set aside for this purpose in future taxation without express authority from the supreme political power of the state.

Synonyms for warrant

Antonyms for warrant

Related Words

Word Forms

• warrants
• warraunt
• warranting
• warranted

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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