Meaning and usage of the word contraband in English

Meaning of vocabulary contraband

contrabandnoun

hàng lậu

/ˈkɒntrəbænd//ˈkɑːntrəbænd/

Origin of the word contraband

The term "contraband" originated in the 17th century during the era of international slave trading. It referred to goods, such as weapons, ammunition, and spirits, that were forbidden to be transported on slave ships or sold to enslaved persons for fear that they would be used to help with rebellions or escape attempts. The term was a shortened form of the phrase "against the band," meaning "against the law" or "prohibited." The word came to be used more broadly to refer to any illicit or smuggled goods, ranging from goods subject to import tariffs to items like drugs and tobacco that were being smuggled across international borders. Today, the term is still commonly used in legal and governing contexts to describe prohibited goods or materials.

Vocabulary summary contraband

typenoun

meaningsmuggling; tax evasion

examplecontraband good: tax contraband

examplecontraband vessel

meaninggoods

typeadjective

meaningsmuggling, tax evasion

examplecontraband good: tax contraband

examplecontraband vessel

Example of vocabulary contrabandnamespace

  • The smuggler carried a duffle bag filled with contraband items like cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs across the border.
  • Customs officers confiscated the contraband goods, which were hidden in the secret compartment of the suitcase.
  • The prisoners' cell contained a variety of contraband items, including weapons, drugs, and pornography.
  • The school principal warned students not to bring any contraband materials, such as gum or phones, into the classroom.
  • The detective arrested the suspects for smuggling a large quantity of counterfeit currency, which was considered to be a serious case of contraband.

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary contraband

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