Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
hostage
noun
/ˈhɒs.tɪdʒ/
Definition
A person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition.
Examples
- During the crisis, the government negotiated for the release of the hostages.
- The armed group took several hostages to gain media attention.
- She felt like a hostage in her own home, trapped by fear.
Meaning
A hostage is someone who is captured and held against their will, usually for a purpose such as demanding a ransom or for leverage in negotiations.
Synonyms
- captives
- prisoners
- victims
