/ ˈwɒrənt; NAmE ˈwɔːr-; ˈwɑːr-/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] warrant (for sth) | warrant (to do sth) a legal document that is signed by a judge and gives the police authority to do sth :
They issued a warrant for her arrest.
an arrest warrant
They had a warrant to search the house.
—see also death warrant , search warrant
2.
[ C ] warrant (for sth) a document that gives you the right to receive money, services, etc.
3.
[ U ] warrant (for sth / for doing sth) ( formal ) (usually in negative sentences) an acceptable reason for doing sth :
There is no warrant for such criticism.
■ verb
( formal ) to make sth necessary or appropriate in a particular situation
SYN justify :
[ vn ]
Further investigation is clearly warranted.
[ vn -ing ]
The situation scarcely warrants their / them being dismissed.
[also v -ing ]
—see also unwarranted
•
IDIOMS
- I / I'll warrant (you)
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the senses protector and safeguard , also, as a verb, keep safe from danger ): from variants of Old French guarant (noun), guarantir (verb), of Germanic origin; compare with guarantee .