First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1sear
2sear
verb \ˈsir\
: to burn and damage the surface of (something) with strong and sudden heat
: to cook the surface of (something, such as a piece of meat) quickly with intense heat
Full Definition of SEAR
intransitive verb
: to cause withering or drying
transitive verb
1
: to make withered and dry : parch
2
a : to burn, scorch, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden application of intense heat b : to cook the surface of quickly with intense heat <sear a steak>
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See sear defined for kids
Origin of SEAR
Middle English seren, from Old English sēarian to become dry, from sēar sere
Rhymes with SEAR
3sear
noun
4sear
noun
Definition of SEAR
: the catch that holds the hammer of a gun's lock at cock or half cock
Origin of SEAR
probably from Middle French serre grasp, from serrer to press, grasp, from Old French, from Late Latin serare to bolt, latch, from Latin sera bar for fastening a door
First Known Use: 1596
SEAR Defined for Kids
sear
verb \ˈsir\
searedsear·ing
Definition of SEAR for Kids
1
: to burn, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden heat <searing pain> <The sight was seared into my memory.>
2
: to dry by or as if by heat : parch
3
: to quickly cook the surface by high heat <sear meat>
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