Definition of "warrant" in English

noun

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

2. (countable) Something that provides assurance or confirmation; a guarantee or proof.

   • a warrant of authenticity; a warrant for success

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.

   • an arrest warrant issued by the court

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.

9. (mining, uncountable) Underclay in a coal mine.

verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) To protect, keep safe (from danger).

2. (transitive, obsolete) To give (someone) an assurance or guarantee (of something); also, with a double object: to guarantee (someone something).

3. (transitive) To guarantee (something) to be (of a specified quality, value, etc.).

4. (transitive) To guarantee as being true; (colloquial) to believe strongly.

   • That tree is going to fall, I’ll warrant.

5. (transitive) To authorize; to give (someone) sanction or warrant (to do something).

   • I am warranted to search these premises fully.

6. (transitive) To justify; to give grounds for.

   • Circumstances arose that warranted the use of lethal force.