hostage

[ hos-tij ]

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.

verb (used with object)

, hos·taged, hos·tag·ing.

1. to give (someone) as a hostage:

   He was hostaged to the Indians.

hostage

/ 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. give hostages to fortune
   to place oneself in a position in which misfortune may strike through the loss of what one values most

Other Words From

• hostage·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hostage¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hostage¹

C13: from Old French, from hoste guest, host ¹

Example Sentences

Israel launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the group's unprecedented attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

From BBC

MSF said staff were "violently attacked, insulted, tear-gassed, threatened with death" and held hostage for more than four hours before being released.

From BBC

Israel launched a campaign to destroy Hamas after the group's attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which left about 1,200 people dead; 251 others were taken hostage.

From BBC

About 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage.

From BBC

About 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage.

From BBC

Related Words

• captive
• prisoner
• victim