contraband
gb/kˈɑntɹəbˌænd/ us/kˈɑntɹəbˌænd/
C1
English
csempészáru, tiltott tárgy, tiltott
NOUN
C1
1
csempészáru
C1
Usage pattern:
contraband; [type/amount] of contraband
Customs officers seized a shipment of contraband at the port.
A vámosok egy csempészáru-szállítmányt foglaltak le a kikötőben.
The truck was suspected of carrying contraband cigarettes and alcohol.
A teherautóról azt gyanították, hogy csempészett cigarettát és alkoholt szállít.
Police found drugs, weapons, and other contraband hidden in the storage unit.
Learner examples
Contraband is illegal to carry across the border.
Csempészárut tilos átvinni a határon.
The officers found contraband in the suitcase.
Az ellenőrök csempészárut találtak a bőröndben.
Common mistake:
Contraband is usually uncountable: say “contraband” or “contraband items,” not usually “a contraband.”
Meaning
illegal or smuggled goods
Collocations
seize contraband
|confiscate contraband
|smuggle contraband
|carry contraband
|contraband goods
|contraband cigarettes
|contraband drugs
|contraband weapons
|a shipment of contraband
|suspected contraband
Synonyms
smuggled goods (emphasizes illegal movement, especially across borders)
|
illegal goods (broader and more direct; less formal)
|
illicit goods (slightly more formal and often used in law or news)
Antonyms
legal goods (items that the law allows people to trade, own, or carry)
|
lawful merchandise (more formal phrase for goods traded legally)
Themes
crime
|law
|customs
|trade
|security
Definition
Things that people are not legally allowed to bring, sell, or carry, especially across a border.
Goods or items that it is illegal to import, export, sell, own, or transport, especially because they are being smuggled.
NOUN
C1
2
Usage pattern:
contraband in [place]; bring contraband into [place]
Visitors are warned not to bring contraband into the detention center.
A látogatókat figyelmeztetik, hogy ne vigyenek be tiltott tárgyakat a fogdába.
In that prison, cell phones are treated as contraband.
Abban a börtönben a mobiltelefonok tiltott tárgynak számítanak.
The school confiscated vape pens and other contraband during a random search.
Learner examples
Visitors cannot bring contraband into the jail.
A látogatók nem vihetnek be tiltott tárgyakat a börtönbe.
The guard took the contraband from the inmate.
Az őr elvette a tiltott tárgyat a rabtól.
Common mistake:
For one object, use “a contraband item” or “a prohibited item” rather than “a contraband.”
Meaning
banned items in custody
Collocations
prison contraband
|jail contraband
|contraband cell phone
|contraband item
|bring in contraband
|find contraband
|remove contraband
|contraband search
|inmate contraband
|school contraband
Synonyms
prohibited items (neutral phrase for things not allowed by rules)
|
unauthorized items (emphasizes lack of official permission)
|
banned items (more everyday and less legal-sounding)
Antonyms
permitted items (things allowed under the rules)
|
authorized property (items officially allowed in an institution)
Themes
prisons
|security
|rules
|law
|education
Definition
Things that the rules do not allow in a place such as a prison or school.
Items that are not allowed in a particular controlled place, such as a prison, detention center, school, or military facility, even if they may be legal elsewhere.
C1
3
tiltott
B1
Usage pattern:
contraband [goods/items/drugs/weapons]
The driver admitted that the boxes contained contraband tobacco.
A sofőr beismerte, hogy a dobozok tiltott dohányt tartalmaztak.
Officers discovered contraband weapons hidden under the floorboards.
A hatóság emberei a padlódeszkák alatt elrejtett tiltott fegyvereket találtak.
The package was flagged because it appeared to contain contraband goods.
Learner examples
They sold contraband cigarettes.
Csempészcigarettát árultak.
The police took the contraband items.
A rendőrség lefoglalta a tiltott tárgyakat.
Common mistake:
Do not use “contraband” simply to mean “hidden”; the item must be illegal or officially banned.
Meaning
illegal to trade or possess
Collocations
contraband goods
|contraband items
|contraband drugs
|contraband weapons
|contraband tobacco
|contraband cigarettes
|contraband alcohol
|contraband material
|contraband cargo
|contraband phone
Synonyms
illegal (broader; can describe actions as well as things)
|
prohibited (emphasizes that a law or rule forbids it)
|
smuggled (emphasizes illegal transport, not necessarily illegal possession)
Antonyms
legal (allowed by law)
|
permitted (allowed by rules or authority)
|
authorized (officially allowed)
Themes
crime
|law
|customs
|security
Definition
Used before a noun to describe something that is illegal or not allowed.
Illegal or officially prohibited to import, export, sell, possess, or carry.
Grammar
Dictionary form
contraband
IPA
GB/kˈɑntɹəbˌænd/
US/kˈɑntɹəbˌænd/
Syllables & stress
con - tra - band (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (con)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: contraband
- Plural: contraband
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.