Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
pat-down
Noun
/ˈpatˌdaʊn/
Definition
A pat-down is a physical search where a person is lightly touched or patted down to check for concealed items.
Examples
- The security officer conducted a quick pat-down before allowing the concert-goer to enter the venue.
- Before boarding the plane, passengers are often subjected to a pat-down if they set off the metal detector.
Meaning
It often involves searching for weapons or illegal items on a person’s body, typically performed by law enforcement officials or security personnel.
Synonyms
- frisk
- search
- body search
