confiscation

[ kon-fuh-skey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act, as a penalty, of seizing or appropriating something for public use or for ownership by the state:

   The government introduced a bill allowing the confiscation of property belonging to foreign states.

2. the act of seizing something by or as if by authority:

   In order to avoid confiscation of their cell phones under the strict new rule, many teens only became more secretive about using them.

Other Words From

• non·con·fis·ca·tion noun
• pro·con·fis·ca·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of confiscation¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin cōnfiscātiōn-, stem of cōnfiscātiō “seizure,” from cōnfiscāt(us) “seized” (past participle of cōnfiscāre “to seize for the public treasury”; confiscate ( def ) ) + -iō -ion ( def )

Example Sentences

The families sued Jones after he falsely claimed that the shooting was a false flag to justify the confiscation of Americans' firearms.

From Salon

But Rivas and Melvoin pushed back, suggesting that harsher penalties for offenders — such as phone confiscation — should be an option.

From Los Angeles Times

In both cases, the court found there were no available assets to seize so a confiscation order for the nominal amount of £1 was made.

From BBC

The full extent of his crimes was only revealed after relatives asked for the confiscation of Mao's phone, according to Legislator Lin Yueh-chin, who has been supporting the parents with their legal cases.

From BBC

It is unclear whether Ms Badri was wearing a headscarf when she was stopped by police, but her car had a confiscation notice against it - suggesting multiple alleged violations of the hijab law.

From BBC

Related Words

• appropriation
• expropriation