(seizes, seizing, seized)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you seize something, you take hold of it quickly, firmly, and forcefully.
'Leigh,' he said seizing my arm to hold me back.
...an otter seizing a fish.
VERB: V n, V n
2.
When a group of people seize a place or seize control of it, they take control of it quickly and suddenly, using force.
Troops have seized the airport and railroad terminals...
Army officers plotted a failed attempt yesterday to seize power.
= take
VERB: V n, V n
3.
If a government or other authority seize someone's property, they take it from them, often by force.
Police were reported to have seized all copies of this morning's edition of the newspaper...
VERB: V n
4.
When someone is seized, they are arrested or captured.
UN officials say two military observers were seized by the Khmer Rouge yesterday...
Men carrying sub-machine guns seized the five soldiers and drove them away.
VERB: be V-ed, V n
5.
When you seize an opportunity, you take advantage of it and do something that you want to do.
During the riots hundreds of people seized the opportunity to steal property...
VERB: V n