seizure
Seizure (noun) means the act of taking something by force or by legal authority. Example: “Customs officers carried out the seizure of the smuggled goods.”
How to use seizure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the forceful taking of property or control, or a sudden brain-related convulsive episode.
In medical contexts, "seizure" and "convulsion" are often used loosely as synonyms, but not every seizure causes visible convulsions.
Word forms
seizured past tense, seizures plural, seizures singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Customs officers carried out the _____ of the smuggled goods.
Etymology
From seize plus the noun ending -ure.
Related words
Rhymes for seizure
See all rhymes for seizure →Frequently asked questions
What does “seizure” mean?
The word “seizure” means the act of taking something by force or by legal authority. In plain terms, either the forceful taking of property or control, or a sudden brain-related convulsive episode.
How do you pronounce “seizure”?
“Seizure” is pronounced SEE-zhuh (/ˈsi.ʒɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “seizure” in a sentence?
Here is “seizure” used in a sentence: “Customs officers carried out the seizure of the smuggled goods.”
What part of speech is “seizure”?
“Seizure” is a noun.
Is “seizure” a common word?
“Seizure” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “seizure” have?
“Seizure” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of taking something by force or by legal authority.
What is the difference between a seizure and a stroke?
A seizure is a sudden episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, often causing convulsions and commonly associated with epilepsy, while a stroke results from interrupted blood flow to the brain. Though both can cause sudden physical symptoms, their underlying causes are different.
What is the difference between "seizure" in a medical sense and a legal sense?
In a medical sense, a seizure is a sudden episode of abnormal brain activity, often causing convulsions, while in a legal sense, a seizure is the act of taking something by force or by legal authority, such as police seizing property. The two meanings are unrelated despite sharing the same word.