con·tra·band / ˈkäntrəˌband/ • n. goods that have been imported or exported illegally. ∎  trade in smuggled goods: the government has declared a nationwide war on contraband. ∎  (also contraband of war) goods forbidden to be supplied by neutrals to those engaged in war. ∎  during the U.S. Civil War, a black slave who escaped or was transported across Union lines.• adj. imported or exported illegally, either in defiance of a total ban or without payment of duty: contraband drug shipments. ∎  relating to traffic in illegal goods: the contraband market.DERIVATIVES: con·tra·band·ist / -ist/ n.

CONTRABAND

Any property that it is illegal to produce or possess. Smuggled goods that are imported into or exported from a country in violation of its laws.

Contraband confiscated by law enforcement authorities upon the arrest of a person for the crimes of production or possession of such goods will not be returned, regardless of the outcome of the prosecution.

contraband sb. and adj. XVI. The present form was not current before XVII, the earlier forms being †counterbande (after F. contrebande) and †contrabanda — Sp. -banda — It. -bando (now contrabb-), f. contra- (see prec.) and bando BAN 1.