prisoner of war

noun

1. a person who is captured and held by an enemy during war, especially a member of the armed forces. : POW

prisoner of war

noun

1. a person, esp a serviceman, captured by an enemy in time of war POW

Word History and Origins

Origin of prisoner of war¹

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

He treated the wounded soldier and the prisoner-of-war with kindness.

From Project Gutenberg

Imagine his astonishment on learning that he was then addressing the very man whom he had hoped to meet as a prisoner-of-war.

From Project Gutenberg

I was at last acquitted, and could return to my lonely chamber not as a criminal, but as a prisoner-of-war!

From Project Gutenberg

In my opinion no prisoner-of-war has ever escaped without more than a fair share of luck, and no one ever will.

From Project Gutenberg

Armed with this document the colonel was no longer a poor prisoner-of-war.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• captive
• hostage
• prisoner