noun

contraband

contraband, smuggled goods

The guards searched for contraband in the prison.

The guards searched for contraband in the prison.

He was arrested for smuggling contraband.

He was arrested for smuggling contraband.

to smuggle contraband to illegally import or export goods He was arrested for smuggling contraband.

Synonyms: smuggled goods, illegal goods

From Italian 'contrabbando', from 'contra' (against) and 'bando' (ban, proclamation). Goods that are 'against the ban'.

'Contra' means against, and 'band' sounds like 'ban'. So, contraband goods are those that go 'against a ban'.

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