body search: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-MediumFormal, Legal, Law Enforcement, Security
Quick answer
What does “body search” mean?
A thorough physical examination of a person's body, conducted to find concealed items such as weapons, drugs, or contraband.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thorough physical examination of a person's body, conducted to find concealed items such as weapons, drugs, or contraband.
Can also refer to any detailed inspection or scrutiny of a person's person, belongings, or living/working space, often in a metaphorical sense (e.g., 'a body search of the company's finances').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term identically. The verb form 'to body-search' is more commonly hyphenated in BE, while AE may use closed ('body search' as a verb) or hyphenated forms. The official term for a more intrusive search in BE is often 'strip search'.
Connotations
Strongly associated with authority, security procedures, and potential loss of privacy in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American media due to higher profile discussions around TSA procedures and police searches.
Grammar
How to Use “body search” in a Sentence
[Subject: Authority] conducted a body search on/of [Object: Person][Subject: Person] was subjected to a body search.to body-search [Object: Person]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body search” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The police officer had to body-search the suspect.
- You may be body-searched if you trigger the metal detector.
American English
- The guards were authorized to body search the inmate.
- TSA agents can body-search passengers as part of enhanced screening.
adverb
British English
- N/A - No standard adverbial form.
American English
- N/A - No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- The body-search procedure is clearly posted.
- He underwent a body-search scan (less common).
American English
- The body search policy is controversial.
- They followed standard body-search protocols.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in corporate security contexts: 'All visitors are subject to a body search before entering the secure lab.'
Academic
Used in criminology, law, sociology, and human rights papers discussing police powers, privacy, and security theatre.
Everyday
Used when discussing airport security, experiences with police, or news reports about arrests.
Technical
Standard term in law enforcement, corrections (prison), and aviation security manuals and protocols.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “body search”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “body search”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body search”
- Using 'body search' to mean an online search for information *about* a body (e.g., in anatomy). Confusing it with 'search party' looking for a missing person.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A 'body search' is a general term for a physical examination, which may include a 'pat-down' over clothes. A 'strip search' is a more intrusive type of body search where the person must remove some or all clothing.
It depends on the legal context and jurisdiction. At an airport, refusal typically means you will not be allowed to board your flight. During a police stop, refusal may lead to detention or arrest if there is legal authority to conduct the search.
The verb is 'to body-search' (often hyphenated). Example: 'The officer body-searched the detainee.'
No. In a medical context, you would use terms like 'physical examination', 'check-up', or 'scan'. 'Body search' implies a security or law enforcement motive.
A thorough physical examination of a person's body, conducted to find concealed items such as weapons, drugs, or contraband.
Body search is usually formal, legal, law enforcement, security in register.
Body search: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi sɜːtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi sɜːrtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Associated with phrases like 'stop and search' (police procedure).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a security officer saying, 'We need to search your BODY.' It's a search focused on the physical body.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A CONTAINER (to be inspected). SECURITY IS PURITY (searching removes dangerous 'contaminants').
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is a 'body search' LEAST likely to be mentioned?