To seize means to grab something quickly and firmly, often with force or urgency. When a goalkeeper seizes the soccer ball during a crucial moment in the game, she catches it with both hands and holds tight. When you seize an opportunity, you take advantage of it right away before it slips past. A police officer might seize stolen property as evidence, taking control of it officially.

The word carries a sense of sudden, deliberate action. You don't seize something casually or gently. When a squirrel seizes an acorn, it grabs it decisively. When fear seizes someone, it takes hold of them powerfully and suddenly, like being gripped by strong hands.

In history, armies would seize territory during wars, taking control by force. A government might seize a building or freeze someone's bank account as part of legal action. These uses all share that sense of taking firm control, whether it's physical objects, land, or even abstract things like power or attention.

The phrase seize the day (from the Latin carpe diem) means to make the most of the present moment instead of waiting or hesitating. When you seize the day, you act with purpose and energy, grabbing hold of your chances while they're available.