In legal terms, is a frisk classified as a search?

A frisk is classified as a search because it involves a limited pat-down of a person's outer clothing to detect weapons or other contraband, aimed at ensuring the safety of law enforcement officers. This type of search is justified under the precedent set by the Supreme Court in Terry v. Ohio, where it was established that police officers can perform this brief, non-intrusive search when they have reasonable suspicion that a person is armed and dangerous.

While a frisk is not as invasive as a full search, it still constitutes a type of search in legal contexts because it involves a physical intrusion into an individual's privacy with the intent to discover concealed items. Thus, the classification of a frisk as a search is rooted in the legal definitions and interpretations of searches and Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.