smuggle

play

verb smug·gle \ˈsmə-gəl\

Definition of smuggle

smuggled

;

smuggling

play \-g(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb
1 : to import or export secretly contrary to the law and especially without paying duties imposed by law
2 : to convey or introduce surreptitiously
intransitive verb
: to import or export something in violation of the customs laws

smuggler

play \ˈsmə-glər\ noun

See smuggle defined for English-language learners

See smuggle defined for kids

Examples of smuggle in a Sentence

He was arrested for smuggling drugs into the country.
They smuggled immigrants across the border.
The paintings had been smuggled out of the country before the war.
We smuggled his favorite sandwich past the nurse.

Recent Examples of smuggle from the Web

Things like gauze and energy bars are mailed, but radios and gas masks are sent on charter planes or smuggled across the border.

— andrew rosati, Bloomberg.com, "Cash From America Is Crucial to Venezuela’s Protesters", 2 June 2017
A federal judge has scheduled a September sentencing for a former Delaware prison guard who was charged with smuggling drugs and cellphones to inmates at the maximum security prison in Smyrna in return for bribes.

— associated press, Washington Post, "Prison guard who pleaded guilty in smuggling contraband", 1 June 2017
In this revival of the cheesy ’90s TV series, lifeguards Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron bare their pecs and go after a beachside drug-smuggling operation.

— sharon hoffmann, kansascity, "Complete guide to movies in KC: ‘Wonder Woman’ and ‘Captain Underpants’ save the world", 1 June 2017
Israel has signaled that the targets were smuggling sophisticated weapons to Lebanon.

— sarah el deeb, chicagotribune.com, "Lebanon bans the new 'Wonder Woman' movie", 31 May 2017
Israel has signaled that the targets were smuggling sophisticated weapons to Lebanon.

— sarah el deeb, chicagotribune.com, "Lebanon bans the new 'Wonder Woman' movie", 31 May 2017
Israel has signaled that the targets were smuggling sophisticated weapons to Lebanon.

— sarah el deeb, The Seattle Times, "Lebanon seeks to ban ‘Wonder Woman,’ citing Israeli actress", 30 May 2017
Arcuri said the Sheriff's Office believes the cocaine that led to Crawford's death was smuggled into the jail by another inmate, Darrell Fuller Jr. Fuller, 29, now faces a second-degree murder charge for supplying Crawford with the drugs.

— emily lane, NOLA.com, "Orleans jail employee caught smuggling heroin, other drugs to inmate: warrant", 26 May 2017
Chinese families and companies might start smuggling more money out of the country, further weakening the financial system.

— keith bradsher, New York Times, "Why China’s Growing Debt Load Worries the World", 24 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of smuggle

Low German smuggeln & Dutch smokkelen

First Known Use: 1687

SMUGGLE Defined for English Language Learners

smuggle

play

verb

Definition of smuggle for English Language Learners

: to move (someone or something) from one country into another illegally and secretly
: to take or bring (something) secretly

SMUGGLE Defined for Kids

smuggle

play

verb smug·gle \ˈsmə-gəl\

Definition of smuggle for Students

smuggled

;

smuggling

1 : to export or import secretly and unlawfully They smuggled stolen goods.
2 : to take or bring secretly It had been my intention to smuggle a couple of sandwiches … — Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee