seizure

noun

sei·​zure ˈsē-zhər How to pronounce seizure (audio)
Synonyms of seizurenext
1
a
: the act, action, or process of seizing : the state of being seized
b
: the taking possession of person or property by legal process
2
a
: a sudden attack (as of disease)
especially : the physical manifestations (such as convulsions, sensory disturbances, or loss of consciousness) resulting from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain (as in epilepsy)
b
: an abnormal electrical discharge in the brain

Synonyms of seizure

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Examples of seizure in a Sentence

the seizure of power by the rebels property that is protected from seizure the seizure of evidence by the police Not all searches and seizures by the police require a warrant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He is charged with destruction of property to prevent its seizure, a felony that could carry five years in prison. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026 That shipment was part of an investigation that resulted in the largest fentanyl seizure in DEA history. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, some vendors have sued the city to obtain public records related to the seizure and destruction of vendor equipment. — Da Lin, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 The driver of the vehicle was arrested following the seizure of the stash of 369 kilograms (813 pounds) of cocaine on Wednesday, police said, but provided no explanation for the stickers with the image of the golden-haired Norwegian striker. — CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for seizure

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of seizure was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing seizure

Browse Nearby Words

seizor
seizure
sejant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seizure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seizure. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

seizure

noun
sei·​zure ˈsē-zhər How to pronounce seizure (audio)
1
: the act of seizing : the state of being seized
2
: a sudden attack (as of disease)
especially : the physical signs (as extreme twitching of muscles) of an episode of abnormal brain activity (as in epilepsy)

Medical Definition

seizure

noun
sei·​zure ˈsē-zhər How to pronounce seizure (audio)
1
: a sudden attack (as of disease)
especially : the physical manifestations (as convulsions, sensory disturbances, or loss of consciousness) resulting from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain (as in epilepsy)
2
: an abnormal electrical discharge in the brain

Legal Definition

seizure

noun
sei·​zure ˈsē-zhər How to pronounce seizure (audio)
: the act, fact, or process of seizing: as
a
: the seizing of property that involves meaningful interference with a person's possessory interest in it
seizure of evidence found in plain view
see also plain view sense 2
b
: the seizing of a person (as for arrest or investigation) see also arrest, stop compare search

Note: The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right against unreasonable searches and seizures. It requires that a warrant may issue only upon probable cause, and that the warrant particularly describe the persons or things to be seized. Not all seizures, however, require a warrant. A seizure that constitutes an arrest requires probable cause to be reasonable, and a stop usually requires reasonable suspicion of the particular person or persons stopped, although stops like those at drunk driving checkpoints may be justified by a plan that places explicit and neutral limitations on the conduct of police officers with no requirement of individualized suspicion.

More from Merriam-Webster on seizure

Nglish: Translation of seizure for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about seizure

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