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contraband Definition

con·tra·band (kän′trə band′)

noun

  1. unlawful or prohibited trade
  2. goods forbidden by law to be imported or exported; smuggled merchandise
  3. contraband of war
  4. ☆ during the Civil War, a black slave who fled to, or was smuggled or found behind, the Union lines

Etymology: Sp contrabanda, a smuggling < It contrabando < contra-, against + bando < ML bannum < Frank *ban, a command; akin to OE ban: see ban

adjective

forbidden by law to be imported or exported

contraband Synonyms

contraband

modif.

forbidden, unauthorized, prohibited from import or export; see illegal.

contraband Synonyms

contraband

n.

  1. Illegal trafficking

    smuggling, poaching, violation of trade laws, piracy, counterfeiting, bootlegging, moonshining, rumrunning, gunrunning, black marketeering, drug traffic, wetbacking*; see also crime 2, theft.

  2. Illegal goods

    smuggled goods, bootlegged goods, poached goods, seized goods, confiscated goods, goods subject to confiscation, goods subject to seizure, contraband of war, plunder, narcotics, hot goods*, forbidden fruit*; see also booty.

contraband Law Definition

n

  1. Any goods that are unlawful to possess, sell or otherwise distribute or transport, or whose very existence is illegal.
  2. Smuggled goods.

contraband Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • seize: Destruction of seized contraband: an additional perverse incentive is the destruction of contraband tobacco products that have been seized by enforcement agencies.
  • carry: Any neutral ship not carrying contraband was allowed to go to the port it was sailing for.
  • smuggle: Learn about Afghanistan and Vietnam, the war torn territories you'll be invading to smuggle contraband and make a quick buck.
  • store: Jamaica Inn, in its isolation, provided the ideal premises for storing this contraband on its way up country.
  • bring: He also brings contraband into Wentworth for her ( 57 ).
  • find: Joan clears Ray over the smuggling by saying that she personally searched him and found no contraband.

Adjective modifier

  • other: It continues to export narcotics and other contraband across the globe.
  • illegal: Their efforts would often be thwarted by the army of Excise men who continually hunted for the illegal contraband.
  • such: The penalty for distributing such contraband may be the concentration camp; it may be death.

Modifies a noun

  • cigarette: Finally, contraband cigarettes that are intercepted by customs have then to be replaced creating yet more sales.
  • tobacco: The MOU seeks the co-operation of tobacco companies in reducing the trade in contraband tobacco.
  • trade: The authorities are most rigorous on the matter of this innocent powder, and in consequence an immense contraband trade is carried on.
  • market: For the next several years, the offshore plant made Export A's for the contraband market.
  • good: The old Kirk was a favorite place for hiding the contraband goods.
  • oil: The vessel, MV Devo, had 3,100 tons of contraband diesel oil on board, the MoD said.

Noun used with modifier

smuggling: They survive by the father smuggling contraband across the mine infested border.