Definition of "contraband" []

• Goods prohibited by law or treaty from being imported or exported. (noun)
• Illegal traffic in contraband; smuggling. (noun)
• Smuggled goods. (noun)
• Goods that may be seized and confiscated by a belligerent if shipped to another belligerent by a neutral. (noun)
• An escaped slave during the Civil War who fled to or was taken behind Union lines. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Her cargo was s'posed to be dry goods, provisions an 'lumber, but dere was a good deal more aboard her, guns, powder an' what they call contraband, ef you know jes 'what that is."
• "If any contraband is discovered to be in your possession, you will be subject to a minimum $1,000.00 fine."
• "Finally, the court concluded contraband is dangerous only if there is a substantial probability the item will be used in a manner likely to cause death or serious injury; facilitate an escape or pose a threat to institutional safety or security."