0 past simple and past participle of seize
1 to take something quickly and keep or hold it:
He seized the chance/opportunity of a free flight with both hands (= with eagerness or enthusiasm).
Political instability helped the army to seize power.
Troops yesterday seized control of the broadcasting station.
Customs officers at Heathrow have seized 60 kilos of heroin.
I was suddenly seized by/with a feeling of great insecurity and loneliness.
Seizing the book in both hands, she threw it across the room.
Heroin worth about $5 million was seized.
The soldiers fell on the villagers and seized all their weapons.
The terrorists have seized 20 hostages and are threatening to kill one a day unless their demands are met.
They have seized their chance with both hands, and promoted the development of 'community services'.
A transformation can mainly be expected if contradictions in the arrangement are seized upon by certain social actors who endeavour to bring about change.
Falling rates of mortality and morbidity were seized upon as signs of the successful realisation of the party's programme.
