Confiscation is when an authority takes something away from you, usually as a penalty or because the item isn't allowed. When a teacher confiscates your phone during class, she takes it and keeps it (at least temporarily) because you broke a rule about using it. When airport security confiscates a bottle of water, they take it because liquids over a certain size aren't permitted on planes.

Confiscation implies official authority: your little brother can't truly confiscate your video game controller, even if he grabs it. Real confiscation requires some legitimate power, like a teacher, parent, police officer, or government official.

Confiscation differs from simply borrowing or taking. When something is confiscated, you may not get it back, or you might have to meet certain conditions first. Throughout history, governments have confiscated property for various reasons, from ancient Rome confiscating the estates of convicted criminals to modern police confiscating illegal weapons. The authority behind confiscation gives it serious weight compared to temporary removals.