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 of seizure

• bout
• attack
• case
• spell

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

Speaking to Radio Jornalera NJ, an independent Spanish language media outlet, Lopez-Cornejo’s mother, María, said her son took medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, and seizures. — Alex Stambaugh, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

His consumption of the sleeping medication was further exacerbated by Caroline’s death and led him to experience several harrowing seizures due to withdrawal. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

In a video the group posted on Facebook, Maria Cornejo said her son took medication to manage seizures, diabetes and his blood pressure. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

On non-festival days, there were 11 traffic stops, 16 parking citations, six tows, three non-traffic citations, two arrests and four firearm seizures. — Jessica Riley, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

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.