# seizure

/ˈsiʒɝ/ (US) · /sˈiːʒɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/seizure
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. legal or forceful taking

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the act of taking something away using legal power or force.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. medical fit

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden medical condition where the body moves in an uncontrolled way.

For teachers: 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'.

### 3. sudden emotion

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a sudden, strong feeling of an emotion like panic or pain.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The doctor explained that the seizure lasted for two minutes.
- After the driver suffered a seizure at the wheel, paramedics arrived quickly to provide emergency medical care.
- The sudden seizure of the company's assets by federal agents sent shockwaves through the local economy, leading to an immediate suspension of all trading activities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.