To deliberately take hold of; to grab or capture.
A guide to seize
• To take advantage of (an opportunity or circumstance).
• To take possession of (by force, law etc.).
• To have a sudden and powerful effect upon.
• Alternative spelling of seise (“to vest ownership of an estate in land”).
• To bind, lash or make fast, with several turns of small rope, cord, or small line.
• To fasten, fix.
• To lay hold in seizure, by hands or claws (+ on or upon).
• To have a seizure.
• To bind or lock in position immovably; see also seize up.
• To submit for consideration to a deliberative body.
• .mw-parser-output .object-usage-tag{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output .deprecated{color:var(--wikt-palette-grey-lime-8,olivedrab)}[with of] To cause (an action or matter) to be or remain before (a certain judge or court).
• Of chocolate: to change suddenly from a fluid to an undesirably hard and gritty texture.
Why seize is relevant in U.S. law
seize appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
When and how seize applies
In practice, seize is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.