Word
seizure
US/ˈsiʒɝ/
UK/sˈiːʒɐ/
Definitions
01legal or forceful taking
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Law Formal
n. the act of taking something away using legal power or force.
n. the act of taking possession of property or persons by legal authority or by force.
“The police ordered the seizure of the stolen car as evidence.”
“The court-ordered seizure of the company's assets followed a lengthy investigation into systematic financial fraud.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'of' followed by the object being taken.
Synonyms
02medical fit
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine
n. a sudden medical condition where the body moves in an uncontrolled way.
n. a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that causes changes in behaviour, movements, or feelings.
“He had a seizure and had to be taken to the hospital immediately.”
“The patient experienced a grand mal seizure, requiring the medical team to administer emergency anticonvulsant medication.”
Usage
Commonly used with the verbs 'have' or 'suffer'.
Synonyms
03sudden emotion
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a sudden, strong feeling of an emotion like panic or pain.
n. a sudden onset or overwhelming burst of a specific emotion or physical sensation.
“A sudden seizure of panic made her stop in her tracks.”
“He was overcome by a seizure of grief so profound that he could not continue his speech.”
Teaching tip
This sense is less common in modern speech; learners will mostly encounter it in older literature or formal prose.
Real-World Examples
“The three-year pilot sharply reduced possession offenses and police drug seizures, but there was little evidence of broader health benefits.” “Alfred himself suffered from episodes of paralysing gloom and what he called “weird seizures”.” Etymology
From seize + -ure.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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