[+ object]
: to take something away from someone especially as punishment or to enforce the law or rules
- Guards confiscated knives and other weapons from the prisoners.
- The police have the authority to confiscate the drug dealer’s property.
- The teacher confiscated all cell phones for the duration of the field trip.
confiscation /ˌkɑnfəˈskeɪʃən/ noun [noncount]
- the confiscation of terrorists’ assets