search

A search is an inspection or examination conducted by government agents or authorized personnel, such as law enforcement officers, correctional staff, security guards, or institutional employees, to locate evidencecontraband, or other prohibited items. Searches may occur in various settings, including during criminal investigations, upon entering correctional facilities, schools, workplaces, and other regulated and controlled environments, depending on the authority and legal standards governing the search.

See also: search and seizure

[Last reviewed in October of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]

Wex