Pronunciation: [kˌɒntɹəbˈand] (IPA) 
The word "contraband" refers to goods that are prohibited by law to be imported or exported. Its pronunciation is /ˈkɒntrəbænd/ , which can be broken down as follows: the first syllable "con" rhymes with "gone" and the second syllable "trab" rhymes with "grab". The stress in this word falls on the second syllable, "ban", which is pronounced like "band". The final "d" is silent, making it spelled as "contraband".
Contraband is a noun that refers to goods, substances, or items that are prohibited or illegal. These items are considered unauthorized or prohibited for import, export, or possession under the law. The term "contraband" is commonly associated with smuggling activities, as these items are often surreptitiously transported across borders or hidden from authorities to avoid detection.
Contraband can include a wide range of illegal or forbidden goods, such as drugs, weapons, counterfeit items, stolen goods, or even certain types of wildlife. The exact definition of contraband may vary depending on the specific laws and regulations of a particular country or jurisdiction.
Possessing or trafficking contraband is often a criminal offense punishable by law. The penalties for engaging in such activities can range from fines and property confiscation to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and the jurisdiction in question.
Governments and law enforcement agencies have implemented strict measures and procedures to detect and prevent the trafficking of contraband. These measures may include border controls, customs inspections, cargo checks, and surveillance techniques aimed at intercepting and apprehending those involved in the illegal trade of contraband goods.
In summary, contraband refers to goods or items that are illegal, prohibited, or unauthorized for import, export, or possession. It encompasses a wide range of forbidden items and is often associated with smuggling activities and criminal offenses.
• Contrary to proclamation; prohibited.
• Prohibited goods; illegal traffic.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "contraband" has its origins in the Late Latin term "contrabannum", which was derived from the combination of "contra" (meaning "against" or "contrary to") and "bannum" (meaning "law" or "proclamation"). In medieval Latin, "contrabannum" referred to goods that were prohibited by law or customs authorities from being traded or transported, typically due to being considered illegal or smuggled. Over time, this term was anglicized to "contraband", which has retained a similar meaning in English.
