contraband of war: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal; Legal/Historical
Quick answer
What does “contraband of war” mean?
Goods or materials (especially weapons, ammunition, and military supplies) that are prohibited from being supplied to a belligerent nation by a neutral party during a time of war, according to international law.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Goods or materials (especially weapons, ammunition, and military supplies) that are prohibited from being supplied to a belligerent nation by a neutral party during a time of war, according to international law.
Any goods designated as illegal to trade or transport to a country at war, or, more broadly, any item smuggled or illegally traded during a conflict.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally formal and historical in both contexts.
Connotations
Primarily historical/legal, evoking 18th-20th century naval blockades, prize law, and classic international conflict.
Frequency
Very low frequency in everyday language. Used almost exclusively in historical, legal, or academic discussions of war and international relations.
Grammar
How to Use “contraband of war” in a Sentence
The [NATION] seized the cargo, declaring it contraband of war.[GOODS] were classified as contraband of war.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “contraband of war” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cruiser was tasked with intercepting vessels suspected of carrying contraband of war.
American English
- The government moved to contraband key industrial materials, effectively expanding the list of contraband of war.
adjective
British English
- The contraband-of-war regulations were strictly enforced by the Admiralty.
American English
- They faced charges related to contraband-of-war trading.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in historical analysis of trade during conflicts.
Academic
Used in history, international law, and political science papers discussing wartime trade, blockades, and neutrality.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in historical and some contemporary international law texts dealing with the law of armed conflict and neutrality.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “contraband of war”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “contraband of war”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “contraband of war”
- Using it to describe any illegal war goods (e.g., looted art) rather than goods supplied *by neutrals to belligerents*.
- Using it in a modern context without historical/legal qualification.
- Misspelling as 'contraband for war'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The specific phrase is somewhat archaic but its underlying principles are enshrined in modern international law, such as the United Nations Charter provisions on sanctions and arms embargoes imposed during conflicts.
'Contraband' is a general term for illegally smuggled goods. 'Contraband of war' is a specific legal category pertaining to trade with belligerents during a war, as defined by international law.
Historically, yes, if it was clearly destined for the armed forces of a belligerent (termed 'conditional contraband'). This was a major point of legal dispute, especially in World War I.
Traditionally, each belligerent nation published its own list. Captures were then adjudicated by that nation's 'prize courts'. In modern conflicts, it is often defined by United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Goods or materials (especially weapons, ammunition, and military supplies) that are prohibited from being supplied to a belligerent nation by a neutral party during a time of war, according to international law.
Contraband of war is usually formal; legal/historical in register.
Contraband of war: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒn.trə.bænd əv ˈwɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːn.trə.bænd əv ˈwɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “run the contraband”
- “prize court (related legal context)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CONTRABAND (illegal) shipment with a big WAR stamp on it, being stopped by a naval blockade. Contraband + OF + WAR.
Conceptual Metaphor
WAR IS A LEGAL ZONE WITH ITS OWN RULES OF TRADE. Goods are metaphorically 'infected' by the state of war, changing their legal status.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the term 'contraband of war'?