ransom

¹

[ ran-suhm ]

noun

1. the redemption of a prisoner or kidnapped person, of captured goods, etc., for a price.

   Synonyms: release, liberation, deliverance

2. the sum or price paid or demanded.
3. a means of deliverance or rescue from punishment for sin, especially the payment of a redemptive fine.

verb (used with object)

1. to redeem from captivity, bondage, detention, etc., by paying a demanded price.
2. to release or restore on receipt of a ransom.
3. to deliver or redeem from punishment for sin.

Ransom

²

[ ran-suhm ]

noun

1. John Crowe [kroh], 1888–1974, U.S. poet, critic, and teacher.

Ransom

¹

/ ˈrænsəm /

noun

1. RansomJohn Crowe18881974MUSWRITING: poetWRITING: critic John Crowe . 1888–1974, US poet and critic

ransom

²

/ ˈrænsəm /

noun

1. the release of captured prisoners, property, etc, on payment of a stipulated price
2. the price demanded or stipulated for such a release
3. rescue or redemption of any kind
4. hold to ransom
   1. to keep (prisoners, property, etc) in confinement until payment for their release is made or received
   2. to attempt to force (a person or persons) to comply with one's demands
5. a king's ransom
   a very large amount of money or valuables

verb

1. to pay a stipulated price and so obtain the release of (prisoners, property, etc)
2. to set free (prisoners, property, etc) upon receiving the payment demanded
3. to redeem; rescue

   Christ ransomed men from sin

Derived Forms

• ˈransomer, noun

Other Words From

• ransom·er noun
• un·ransomed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ransom¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English noun ranso(u)n, rançoun, from Old French rançon, reançon from Late Latin redēmptiōn- (stem of redēmptiō ) redemption; verb derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ransom¹

C14: from Old French ransoun , from Latin redemptiō a buying back, redemption

Idioms and Phrases

see king's ransom .

Synonym Study

See redeem.

Example Sentences

In one poem, Fox writes, “I want to hold your hand / hear your laugh … but now / I have to say / goodbye,” while later begging, “I will pay any price / Tell me please / what is the ransom / for her soul?”

From Los Angeles Times

"The drug-related intimidation is affecting individuals, families and whole communities are being held to ransom by the drug dealers."

From BBC

The hacker group Qilin, which held NHS hospitals to ransom earlier this summer, notably chose to publish stolen blood test data on its Telegram channel before its dark web website.

From BBC

Mario Medina told the victim’s family to meet at a McDonald’s restaurant in San Ysidro, just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, to make the ransom payment.

From Los Angeles Times

On Friday, Mario Alex Medina, 54, and María Alejandra Medina, 51, of Rosarito, Mexico, were found guilty for their roles in the violent kidnapping and ransom scheme that occurred two years ago, the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times