search engine
NOUN:
in computing:
1. a computer program that searches documents, especially on the World Wide Web, for a specified word or words and provides a list of documents in which they are found.
2. a service provided on the internet enabling users to search for items of interest.
3. web sites or software that search the Internet for documents that contain a key word, phrase, or subject that is specified by the user to the search engine.
Each engine has its own method of searching for information.
4. computer software used to search data (such as text or a database) for specified information--
—also a site on the World Wide Web that uses such software to locate key words in other sites.
Also called retrieval engine.
Origin:
First recorded in 1990–95. —Dictionary.com. // First Known Use of search engine: 1984. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
in computing:
1. a computer program that searches documents, especially on the World Wide Web, for a specified word or words and provides a list of documents in which they are found.
2. a service provided on the internet enabling users to search for items of interest.
3. web sites or software that search the Internet for documents that contain a key word, phrase, or subject that is specified by the user to the search engine.
Each engine has its own method of searching for information.
4. computer software used to search data (such as text or a database) for specified information--
—also a site on the World Wide Web that uses such software to locate key words in other sites.
Also called retrieval engine.
Origin:
First recorded in 1990–95. —Dictionary.com. // First Known Use of search engine: 1984. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.