Word
confiscation
Phoneticscon·fis·ca·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌkɑnfəˈskeɪʃən/
UK/kˌɒnfɪskˈeɪʃən/
Definition
n. the act of taking something away from someone, usually by an authority like the police or a school. It is often done because the item is illegal or dangerous.
n. the act of seizing or taking possession of something, typically by an authority or legal entity. Often implies a lack of consent from the owner and is frequently associated with legal or disciplinary proceedings.
Examples
“The school's confiscation of mobile phones is a strict rule.”
“The police conducted a search and the confiscation of several illegal weapons led to an immediate arrest.”
“The legal battle over the confiscation of the family's assets lasted for over a decade, as the court weighed the state's interest against the individual's property rights.”
Examples
simple
“The school's confiscation of mobile phones is a strict rule.”
contextual
“The police conducted a search and the confiscation of several illegal weapons led to an immediate arrest.”
complex
“The legal battle over the confiscation of the family's assets lasted for over a decade, as the court weighed the state's interest against the individual's property rights.”
Real-World Examples
“Settlement expansion, land confiscation and demolitions are tightening Israeli control over Palestinian land across the occupied West Bank.” “It shows there have been 66 confiscation orders between January 2021 and March 2026, totalling £7.3m.” Etymology
From Latin cōnfiscātiō. By surface analysis, confiscate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/confiscation