I am new to iPhone and wanted to know if I could use safari’ as a search engine

Sorry but Safari is only a web browser, not a search engine. You do have the option to change the search engine Safari uses in Settings > Apps > Safari > Search Engine, where you are presented with many other options aside from Google. You can also submit feedback to Apple below that you would like this implemented.

Feedback - Safari - Apple

Safari is a browser. Safari is not a search engine. Chrome is not a search engine. Edge is not a search engine...

You can select your default search engine in Settings>Apps>Safari>Search Engine.

As you say, Safari is a browser, which is very different from a search engine.

Search engine candidates are listed here at Settings > Apps > Safari > Search Engine:

Ronnie548 wrote:

Thanks for the info,it saves me trying to find it myself

You're very welcome. Enjoy your new iPhone, and if you have any other questions don't hesitant to ask again.