seizure

noun

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

The infection is spread by mosquitoes, according to the CDC, and can lead to inflammation of the brain, seizures and paralysis. — Arman Azad, CNN, "West Nile virus cases rose in the US in 2018, killing 167 people," 9 Aug. 2019 Judges have 14 days to review seizures, and gun owners can fight it in in court. — Justin L. Mack, Indianapolis Star, "Remembering Jake Laird, the officer whose death inspired Indiana's 'red flag' law," 7 Aug. 2019 Last month, Boyce died in his sleep following an epileptic seizure at the age of 20, and his friends and family have shared many fond remembrances and launched a nonprofit in his memory in the weeks that followed. — Hilary Hughes, Billboard, "Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, China McClain & More Share Cameron Boyce Memories From 'Descendants 3' Set," 3 Aug. 2019 While in the store, the man suffered a seizure and fell. — Mitchell Byars, The Denver Post, "Longmont police locate dog reportedly stolen from man as he died," 31 July 2019 The symptoms progress to those seen in meningitis, such as stiffness in the neck and hamstrings, as well as sensitivity to light, confusion, seizures, and coma. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Brain-eating amoeba kills again—here’s how it kills and how to avoid it," 26 July 2019 Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection start with severe headache, fever, nausea and vomiting and progress to stiff neck, seizures and coma. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, "Man dies after contracting brain-eating amoeba after water park visit," 26 July 2019 During testimony, Winickoff explained how vaping can be particularly harmful to bodies and brains that are still developing, with the potential for seizures and respiratory health problems, as well as lifelong nicotine addiction. — Erika Edwards, NBC News, "Lawmakers focus on Juul's role in teen vaping surge," 24 July 2019 The medication, otherwise known as pregabalin, is used for seizures and fibromyalgia, a condition that causes chronic, widespread pain. — CBS News, "FDA approves first generic copies of nerve pain drug Lyrica," 22 July 2019

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

12 Aug 2019

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

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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.