Contraband: meaning, definitions and examples

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contraband

 

[ ˈkɒntrəbænd ]

Context #1

illegal goods

Goods that are illegally imported or exported.

Synonyms

illegal merchandise, smuggled goods

Examples of usage

  • The customs officers seized a shipment of contraband cigarettes.
  • He was arrested for smuggling contraband across the border.

Translations

Translations of the word "contraband" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contrabando

🇮🇳 तस्करी का माल

🇩🇪 Schmuggelware

🇮🇩 barang selundupan

🇺🇦 контрабанда

🇵🇱 kontrabanda

🇯🇵 密輸品 (みつゆひん)

🇫🇷 contrebande

🇪🇸 contrabando

🇹🇷 kaçakçılık malları

🇰🇷 밀수품 (密輸品)

🇸🇦 بضائع مهربة

🇨🇿 kontraband

🇸🇰 kontraband

🇨🇳 走私货物 (zǒusī huòwù)

🇸🇮 kontrabanda

🇮🇸 smyglvara

🇰🇿 контрабанда

🇬🇪 კონტრაბანდა

🇦🇿 qaçaqmal

🇲🇽 contrabando

Word origin

The word 'contraband' originated in the mid 16th century from Italian 'contrabbando', which means 'unauthorized dealing'. It was originally used in the context of prohibiting the trade of specific goods. Over time, the term evolved to refer specifically to goods that are illegal to import or export. The concept of contraband has been a part of international trade and customs law for centuries, with various treaties and agreements regulating the movement of goods across borders.