seize
/siːz/ verb [T]Definition
› LAW 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. seize assets/property
› US LAW, GOVERNMENT 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.
› to take advantage of something that is available: seize a challenge/opportunity A Malaysian tycoon seized the chance to bid for the company, and won. By having a contract already prepared, you may be able to seize the initiative in negotiations.
› to take control of something, especially when others are trying to stop you: seize control/power Disgruntled shareholders tried to oust the board and seize control of the company. In finance, telecoms, media, and technology, there is thought to be a rare opportunity to seize global market share.
(Definition of seize verb from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary
© Cambridge University Press)
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