confiscation
Americannoun
-
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.
-
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 Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of confiscation
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”; see confiscate ( def. )) + -iō -ion ( def. )
Vocabulary lists containing confiscation
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said the visa restrictions would target those who promote "race-based discrimination, incite violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation in South Africa."
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
The Danish artist behind "Pillar of Shame", Jens Galschiot, called the outcome of the trial and the statue's potential confiscation "outrageous".
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
The figures cover those larger illegal sites for which the Environment Agency is responsible, and do not include confiscation orders for smaller fly-tipping offences, which fall under the remit of local authorities.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
This would take priority over the collection of fines and confiscation of assets, according to Xinhua.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
It was understandable; he risked the confiscation of his property by sheltering us.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
