Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

contraband

/ˈkɒn.tɹəˌbænd/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about contraband at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Goods whose importation or exportation or possession is prohibited by law.

adjective

Distributed or sold illicitly.
the black economy pays no taxes

Origin

From Spanish contrabanda (modern spelling contrabando), from Italian contrabando (modern spelling contrabbando), from contra (“against”) + bando (“ban”), and reinforced by French contrebande.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word