Meaning

(uncountable) Any goods which are illicit or illegal to possess..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable) Any goods which are illicit or illegal to possess.
2. (uncountable) Goods which are prohibited from being traded, smuggled goods.
3. (countable, US, historical) A black slave during the American Civil War who had escaped to, or been captured by, Union forces.
4. Prohibited from being traded.
5. (obsolete) To import illegally; to smuggle.
6. (obsolete) To declare prohibited; to forbid.

Example Sentences

While some Yanks treated contrabands with a degree of equity or benevolence, the more typical response was indifference, contempt, or cruelty.

… when the seizure is made in connection with a violation involving a contraband article covered by section 1 (b) (1) of the said Act; …

The exclusion of mandatory payment of moieties for seizures of contraband controlled substances is accomplished through Section 17 of the bill, …

4. Contraband goods may be seized if found in a river before they are landed or offered for sale.

there are also searched for concealed Slaves, and goods contrabanded

The law severely contrabands / Our taking business off men's hands.

Word Forms

• contrabands
• more contraband
• most contraband
• contrabanding
• contrabanded

Synonyms for contraband

Related Words

When Should You Use Contraband?

Use contraband when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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