seizure

sei·zure | \ ˈsē-zhər

Definition of seizure

1a : the act, action, or process of seizing : the state of being seized

b : the taking possession of person or property by legal process

2a : 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

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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 Peter Krouse reports that in documents in U.S. District Court, the city argues the commission’s contributions have been significant, including working closely with the city on use-of-force and search-and-seizure policies. — Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, "After Labor Day, the real presidential campaign begins. How goes Ohio? The Wake Up for Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020," 8 Sep. 2020 Former Harris County Assistant District Attorney L.E. Wilson, a state expert on search and seizure laws, said the incident is the type that officers often confront with no clear answer about how to proceed. — Tony Plohetski, USA TODAY, "Her neighbors called for help. When cops showed up, they attacked a domestic abuse victim.," 3 Sep. 2020 Ammonium nitrate can continue to pose a problem for governments after its seizure. — Adam Taylor, Washington Post, "After Beirut, ports around the world searched for a dangerous chemicals. Some didn’t like what they found.," 21 Aug. 2020 The officers said Depue appeared to have a seizure before becoming unresponsive and no longer breathing, according to the Sheriff's Office. — Chelsea Curtis, The Arizona Republic, "Coconino County Sheriff's Office IDs man who died in custody in Flagstaff," 12 Aug. 2020 The boy had a seizure in response to the virus and became unresponsive, the Chatham County Coroner, WTOC-TV in Savannah reported. — Fox News, "Coronavirus: 7-year-old youngest to die in Georgia, health officials say," 7 Aug. 2020 Animal control officers then visited the residence multiple times before obtaining a search and seizure warrant in September. — Jacob Calvin Meyer, baltimoresun.com, "Woodbine couple sentenced in animal cruelty case after police say they ran a puppy mill out of their basement," 18 Sep. 2020 In its order Wednesday, the 9th Circuit concluded that the NSA spying program violated the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and possibly the Fourth Amendment right regarding search and seizure. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Appeals court rules NSA spying program illegal but upholds terror convictions," 2 Sep. 2020 No money was found at Taylor's apartment after the March 13 raid, according to a property seizure log filled out by police. — Darcy Costello, The Courier-Journal, "Exclusive: Breonna Taylor had nothing to do with illegal drug trade, ex-boyfriend says," 28 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'seizure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

24 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Seizure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seizure. Accessed 31 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for seizure

seizure

noun

English Language Learners Definition of seizure

: the act of taking control of something especially by force or violence

law : the act of taking something by legal authority

medical : an abnormal state in which you become unconscious and your body moves in an uncontrolled and violent way

See the full definition for seizure in the English Language Learners Dictionary

seizure

noun

sei·zure | \ ˈsē-zhər

Kids Definition of seizure

1 : an act of taking suddenly or with force : the state of being taken suddenly or with force

2 : an abnormal state in which a person usually experiences convulsions and may become unconscious

seizure

noun

sei·zure | \ ˈsē-zhər

Medical Definition of seizure

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

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seizure

noun

sei·zure | \ ˈsē-zhər

Legal Definition of seizure

: 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.

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