contraband
- 01 C1 Advanced
n.goods that are illegal to own or trade, especially things that have been smuggled into a country.
n.goods that are prohibited by law from being imported or exported; smuggled items. Uncountable in its general sense.
Simple“Customs officers at the airport searched the bags for contraband like illegal drugs.”
In context“The coast guard intercepted a vessel carrying a significant amount of contraband destined for the black market.”
UsageUsually functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the category of goods.
Synonymssmuggled goodsblack market goodsAntonymslegal imports - 02 C1 Advanced
n.items that are not allowed in a specific place, such as a prison or a school.
n.items that are prohibited within the confines of a specific institution or environment. Often used in the context of correctional facilities.
Simple“The guards found a mobile phone, which is considered contraband in the prison.”
In context“The facility has strict policies regarding contraband to ensure the safety of both staff and inmates.”
Synonymsforbidden itemsprohibited goodsAntonymspermitted items - 03 C1 Advanced
adj.describes something that is illegal to buy, sell, or move.
adj.relating to or being goods that are prohibited by law or treaty from being imported or exported.
Simple“The police seized the contraband tobacco during a raid on the warehouse.”
In context“The treaty specifically lists certain chemicals as contraband materials that cannot be traded between the two nations.”
Antonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a term used during the American Civil War for enslaved people who escaped to the North.
n.a term used during the American Civil War to describe an enslaved person who escaped to or was brought within Union lines. Countable in this specific historical sense.
Simple“During the war, many people sought freedom and were known as contrabands.”
In context“Historians study the lives of contrabands to understand the complex transition from slavery to freedom during the 1860s.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is specific to 19th-century American history and is not used in modern conversation.
Synonymsrefugeeescapee
“The sheep are grazing their high summer pastures; a side hustle smuggling contraband brings in a little much-needed cash.”
From Spanish contrabanda (modern spelling contrabando), from Italian contrabando (modern spelling contrabbando), from contra (“against”) + bando (“ban”), and reinforced by French contrebande.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.