contraband: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Academic / Legal / Military
Quick answer
What does “contraband” mean?
Goods that are imported or exported illegally, especially in violation of a ban or prohibition.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Goods that are imported or exported illegally, especially in violation of a ban or prohibition.
Any goods that are prohibited by law, treaty, or agreement from being traded or possessed. By extension, it can also refer to any material, item, or idea that is illicitly or secretly brought into a place where it is forbidden.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Both use the same spelling and sense.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with historical naval/military contexts in UK usage (e.g., 'contraband of war'). In the US, it has strong associations with drug enforcement and prison contexts (e.g., 'prison contraband').
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects, with slight prominence in US legal/media discourse around drugs and border control.
Grammar
How to Use “contraband” in a Sentence
[Verb] + contraband (e.g., seize, find)contraband + [Prepositional Phrase] (e.g., contraband in the hold, contraband of war)[Adjective] + contraband (e.g., illegal, military)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “contraband” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The contraband cigarettes were seized at Dover.
- He was charged with contraband trading.
American English
- Authorities discovered a contraband cell phone in his cell.
- They operated a contraband liquor operation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific sectors like logistics, shipping, and customs compliance ('ensuring shipments contain no contraband').
Academic
Common in historical, legal, political science, and criminology texts discussing trade prohibitions, sanctions, or smuggling networks.
Everyday
Used in news reports about drug busts, prison finds, or customs seizures ('Police found contraband in the vehicle').
Technical
Precise legal definition in international law (e.g., Geneva Conventions on contraband of war) and penal system regulations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “contraband”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “contraband”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “contraband”
- Using 'contraband' as a verb (incorrect: *He was contrabanding cigarettes; correct: He was smuggling cigarettes).
- Using it as a countable noun for a single item (awkward: *a contraband; better: a piece of contraband or a contraband item).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'contraband' is primarily a noun and can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., contraband goods). The verb for the activity is 'to smuggle'.
'Contraband' refers to the illegal goods themselves. 'Smuggling' refers to the illegal act of transporting those goods.
Yes, metaphorically. For example, in a school with a 'no sweets' policy, a student's chocolate bar could be jokingly called 'contraband'.
Primarily yes, but it can be extended to non-physical but regulated items like digital media or proprietary information in certain contexts.
Goods that are imported or exported illegally, especially in violation of a ban or prohibition.
Contraband is usually formal / academic / legal / military in register.
Contraband: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒn.trə.bænd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːn.trə.bænd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Run contraband”
- “Declared contraband of war”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CONtract BANneD' → Goods banned by contract (law/treaty) = CONTRABAND.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORBIDDEN OBJECTS ARE POLLUTANTS/CONTAMINANTS (e.g., 'contraband smuggled into the prison system', implying it corrupts a controlled environment).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely to be described as 'contraband' in a standard context?