Definition of contraband Contraband

/kɑˈntɹʌbæˌnd/ - [kantruband] - con•tra•band

We found 16 definitions of contraband from 6 different sources.

What does contraband mean?

WordNet

Noun

Plural: contrabands

contraband - goods whose importation or exportation or possession is prohibited by law

merchandise, ware, product commodities offered for sale; "good business depends on having good merchandise"; "that store offers a variety of products"

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Wiktionary

contraband (Noun)
Any goods which are illicit or illegal to possess.
contraband (Noun)
Goods which are prohibited from being traded, smuggled goods.
contraband (Noun)
A black slave during the American Civil War who had escaped to, or been captured by, Union forces.
contraband (Verb)
To import illegally; to smuggle.
contraband (Verb)
To declare prohibited; to forbid.
contraband (Adjective)
Prohibited from being traded.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

contraband (n.)
Illegal or prohibited traffic.
contraband (n.)
Goods or merchandise the importation or exportation of which is forbidden.
contraband (n.)
A negro slave, during the Civil War, escaped to, or was brought within, the Union lines. Such slave was considered contraband of war.
contraband (a.)
Prohibited or excluded by law or treaty; forbidden; as, contraband goods, or trade.
contraband (v. t.)
To import illegally, as prohibited goods; to smuggle.
contraband (v. t.)
To declare prohibited; to forbid.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

contraband
kon′tra-band, adj. contrary to law: prohibited.—n. illegal traffic: prohibition: prohibited goods.—ns. Con′trabandism, trafficking in contraband goods; Con′trabandist, a smuggler.—Contraband of war, a name applied to certain commodities, as military stores, and even coal in an age of war steamers, not to be supplied by neutral to belligerent powers. [Sp. contrabanda—It. contrabbando—L. contra, against, L. L. bandum, ban.]

Sailor's Word-BookThe Sailor's Word-Book ⛵

contraband
The ship is involved in the legal fate of the cargo; the master should therefore be careful not to take any goods on board without all custom-house duties being paid up, and see that they be not prohibited by parliament or public proclamation. Contraband is simply defined, "merchandise forbidden by the law of nations to be supplied to an enemy;" but it affords fat dodges to the admiralty court sharks.