0 to take something quickly and keep or hold it:
I was suddenly seized by/with a feeling of great insecurity and loneliness.
Customs officers at Heathrow have seized 60 kilos of heroin.
Troops yesterday seized control of the broadcasting station.
Political instability helped the army to seize power.
He seized the chance/opportunity of a free flight with both hands (= with eagerness or enthusiasm).
2 if the police or government seizes property or assets, they take possession of them because they are illegal, or because the owner owes money:
Customs agents last year seized $14 million in counterfeit electronics goods at the nation's ports.
3 if the government or other official authority seizes a company, they stop it from trading because of illegal activity or debts:
The government has threatened to seize any business that does not sell goods at the advertised price.
4 to take advantage of something that is available:
By having a contract already prepared, you may be able to seize the initiative in negotiations.
A Malaysian tycoon seized the chance to bid for the company, and won.
seize a challenge/opportunity
5 to take control of something, especially when others are trying to stop you:
Rather, groups only need repeat the already existing symbols that the media have seized upon as the most important in the current crisis.
In 1966 a military junta committed to moderately liberal economic policies seized power and began to plan a complete overhaul of the pension system.
If they strayed across the line, they could be seized by the police or stolen by villagers on the other side.
Faced with political marginalization he acted against the clique who controlled the capital and seized the throne in 1290.
In many cases those collectively held accountable for debts were also seized and even sold.
The histories also record the cases of emperors who seized women for their court harem.
They were active innovators who seized political opportunities as they unfolded during this critical historical moment.
Moreover, on the day that ' ' it seized power in 1976, the military junta issued a decree removing all justices.
