seizuresei·zure /ˈsiːʒə-ər/ noun [countableC, uncountableU] formal1LAWthe act of taking goods or property because they are illegal, or because the owner has not paid a debtAn authority may threaten seizure of goods or disconnection of vital supplies.
2American EnglishAmEFINANCELAW the act of forcing a company to stop trading because of debts or illegal activitiesThe company’s failure, seizure and liquidation cost the state $2.6 billion.