confiscation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Legal, Official
Quick answer
What does “confiscation” mean?
The act of officially taking away someone's property with authority, often as a penalty or for legal reasons, without compensation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of officially taking away someone's property with authority, often as a penalty or for legal reasons, without compensation.
The seizure of assets, goods, or property by an authority such as a government, court, or law enforcement agency, typically due to a legal violation, non-payment of taxes, or for reasons of state security.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The process and legal grounds for confiscation differ between jurisdictions, but the term is used identically.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of state power, legal penalty, and loss of property in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in news contexts related to law enforcement and asset forfeiture programs.
Grammar
How to Use “confiscation” in a Sentence
confiscation of [property/assets/goods]confiscation by [authority/state]confiscation for [reason/violation]confiscation from [person/entity]order the confiscation ofVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “confiscation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The customs official can confiscate prohibited goods.
- The headteacher threatened to confiscate all mobile phones.
American English
- The police have the right to confiscate the vehicle.
- The court ordered the agency to confiscate the illicit funds.
adverb
British English
- The goods were confiscated summarily.
- The law allows assets to be taken confiscatorily.
American English
- The property was acting confiscatorily, his lawyer claimed.
- The court ruled the seizure was not applied confiscatorily.
adjective
British English
- The confiscatory tax policy was widely criticised.
- They faced confiscatory measures for non-compliance.
American English
- The state's confiscatory asset forfeiture laws are controversial.
- He argued against the government's confiscatory power.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the seizure of assets by authorities, often due to bankruptcy proceedings, sanctions violations, or tax evasion.
Academic
Used in legal, political science, and historical texts discussing state power, property rights, or punitive measures.
Everyday
Used when authorities take something away, e.g., a teacher confiscating a phone, or customs confiscating prohibited items.
Technical
In law, a specific legal procedure for the permanent deprivation of property as a penalty or consequence of crime (e.g., civil asset forfeiture).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “confiscation”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “confiscation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “confiscation”
- Confusing 'confiscation' (permanent, punitive) with 'impounding' (temporary holding).
- Misspelling as 'confistication'.
- Using it for voluntary surrender ('He gave it up' is not confiscation).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Theft is illegal taking by a private individual. Confiscation is a legal, authoritative taking by the state or its agents, though the owner may view it as unjust.
Typically, no, as confiscation is usually permanent. However, through a successful legal appeal, one might secure the 'return' or 'release' of property, which would mean the confiscation order was overturned.
They are very close synonyms, often used interchangeably in law. 'Forfeiture' can emphasise the loss as a consequence of a crime or breach of contract, while 'confiscation' emphasises the authoritative act of seizing.
In everyday language, yes, the verb 'confiscate' is more common (e.g., 'The teacher confiscated my phone'). The noun 'confiscation' is more frequent in formal, legal, journalistic, or academic contexts.
The act of officially taking away someone's property with authority, often as a penalty or for legal reasons, without compensation.
Confiscation is usually formal, legal, official in register.
Confiscation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒnfɪˈskeɪʃn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːnfɪˈskeɪʃn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Subject to] confiscation”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CON trying to FISCally hide his money, but the AUTHORities find and take it away — it's a CONFISCATION.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFISCATION IS LEGALIZED THEFT (from the perspective of the owner). / CONFISCATION IS THE ARM OF THE LAW REACHING INTO YOUR POSSESSIONS.
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best illustrates the concept of 'confiscation'?