hostage

American  

[hos-tij] / ˈhɒs tɪdʒ /

noun

1. a person given or held as security for the fulfillment of certain conditions or terms, promises, etc., by another.

2. Archaic.  a security or pledge.

3. Obsolete.  the condition of a hostage.

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verb (used with object)

hostaged, hostaging

1. to give (someone) as a hostage.

   He was hostaged to the Indians.

hostage British  

/ ˈhɒstɪdʒ /

noun

1. a person given to or held by a person, organization, etc, as a security or pledge or for ransom, release, exchange for prisoners, etc

2. the state of being held as a hostage

3. any security or pledge

4. to place oneself in a position in which misfortune may strike through the loss of what one values most

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Other Word Forms

• hostageship noun

Etymology

Origin of hostage

1225–75; Middle English < Old French hostage ( h- by association with ( h ) oste host ² ), ostage ≪ Vulgar Latin *obsidāticum state of being a hostage < Latin obsid- (stem of obses ) hostage (equivalent to ob- ob- + sid- sit ¹ ) + -āticum -age

Example Sentences

By organising communal prayers, gatherings, and events, his work on behalf of the hostages and their families became a calling.

From Barron's

Except when the air force uses the combative kinetic security approach, details of the circumstances under which hostages are released are rare.

From Barron's

Hamas has since released all the living hostages and returned the remains of 26 dead hostages.

From Barron's

Earlier, PIJ and Hamas announced that the body of an Israeli hostage had been found in central Gaza on Monday.

From BBC

A source in Islamic Jihad, who requested anonymity, confirmed the body belonged to one of the last three hostages held by militants in the territory.

From Barron's

Related Words

• captive
• prisoner
• victim