seizure

noun

sei·​zure ˈsē-zhər 

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

• access
• attack
• bout
• case
• fit
• siege
• spell
• turn

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

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian meth fell to less than 15% of seizures of the drug, a highly addictive and potent stimulant. —Chris Lau, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

Russia’s brazenly neocolonial response to the 2014 revolution—the seizure of Crimea—infuriated Ukrainians and supercharged the movement for a religious divorce from Moscow. —Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024

For the first time, the symptoms and behavior of patients during seizures were correlated to a brain signal occurring in lockstep. —Giridhar Kalamangalam, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024

General signs and symptoms from severe lead exposure include severe stomach cramping; pins-and-needles tingling, burning or numbness in the hands; and seizures, coma or death. County officials said people who use this ointment should stop using it, see a doctor and have their blood tested for lead. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024

Worse yet, some on social media are sharing instructions on how to squat on private property, falsely advertising that the law permits the seizure of temporarily unoccupied property. —Jill Jacobson, National Review, 2 Apr. 2024

On Monday, Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, confirmed that the former president, 77, posted the bond in the case in order to secure his assets from seizure while the case is under appeal. —Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

Trump posted a $175 million bond in the New York civil fraud case to prevent seizure of his assets while the case is under appeal. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024

That can include liens and levies (seizures of your property, including bank accounts). —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing seizure

• anti-seizure
• grand mal seizure

Kids Definition

seizure

noun

sei·​zure ˈsē-zhər 

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 

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 

: 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.