sear

1 of 4

verb

seared; searing; sears

transitive verb

1
a
: to cook the surface of quickly with intense heat
sear a steak
b
: to burn, scorch, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden application of intense heat
2
: to make withered and dry : parch

intransitive verb

: to cause withering or drying

sear

2 of 4

noun (1)

: a mark or scar left by searing

sear

3 of 4

noun (2)

: the catch that holds the hammer of a gun's lock at cock or half cock

sear

4 of 4

adjective

less common spelling of sere

1
: being dried and withered
2
archaic : threadbare

Examples of sear in a Sentence

Verb The tree was seared by lightning. The flames seared my skin. The steak was seared over a hot grill.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Multiple perishable foods without date marks were also discovered, with goat cheese, pimento cheese, seared tuna and cut tomatoes holding temperatures above 41 degrees. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025 Following Cheers, Harrelson quickly shed the simple-minded affects of Woody with searing, occasionally controversial turns in Indecent Proposal (1993), Natural Born Killers (1994), and The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), the latter of which landed him his first Academy Award nomination. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
Achieving the perfect sear relies on a few key points, including choosing the right cut, prepping steak properly, using the right pan, and more. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 May 2025 Secchi achieves a deep sear by using a fish weight (think burger press) to flatten the sausage and increase its surface area. Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sear

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English seren, from Old English sēarian to become dry, from sēar sere

Noun (2)

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

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

1874, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sear was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Sear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sear. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

sear

1 of 2 verb
ˈsi(ə)r
1
: to cause withering or drying : parch, shrivel
harsh winds that sear and burn
2
a
: to burn, scorch, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden heat
b
: to cook the surface of quickly with intense heat
sear a steak

sear

2 of 2 noun
: a mark or scar left by searing

More from Merriam-Webster on sear

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