[+ obj] 1 a : to use legal or official power to take (something) ▪ Police seized [=confiscated] the weapons and drugs. ▪ The bank seized their property. b : to get or take (something) in a forceful, sudden, or violent way ▪ The army has seized control of the city. ▪ A rebel group attempted to seize power. ▪ He suddenly seized the lead in the final lap of the race. c : to attack and take control of (a place) by force or violence ▪ The soldiers seized [=captured] the fort.
2 a : to forcefully take and hold (someone or something) with your hand or arms : grab ▪ He seized her by the arm. ▪ He tried to seize the gun from him. ▪ She seized hold of my hand. [=she seized my hand] b : to take (someone) as a prisoner ▪ The police seized [=arrested] the robbers. ▪ Seize that man! ▪ She was seized by kidnappers and carried off to a hidden location.
3 : to take or use (something, such as a chance or opportunity) in a quick and eager way ▪ He seized the chance/initiative/opportunity to present his ideas to his boss. ▪ My father taught me to seize the day. [=to do the things I want to do when I have the chance instead of waiting for a later time] ▪ Seizing the moment, she introduced herself to the famous film director.
4 a : to begin to affect (someone) suddenly ▪ Panic seized him. = He was seized by panic. b : to have a powerful effect on (someone) ▪ His movies seized the public's imagination. [=the public became very interested in and enthusiastic about his movies] ▪ She was suddenly seized with the idea [=she suddenly had the idea] of owning her own restaurant.