kidnap

American  

[kid-nap] / ˈkɪd næp /

verb (used with object)

kidnapped, kidnaped, kidnapping, kidnaping

1. to steal, carry off, or abduct by force or fraud, especially for use as a hostage or to extract ransom.

   Synonyms:

   seize

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kidnap British  

/ ˈkɪdnæp /

verb

1. (tr) to carry off and hold (a person), usually for ransom

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Other Word Forms

• kidnapee noun
• kidnaper noun
• kidnappee noun
• kidnapper noun
• kidnapping noun
• unkidnaped adjective
• unkidnapped adjective

Etymology

Origin of kidnap

1675–85; kid ¹ + nap, variant of nab

Explanation

To kidnap is to steal a person, or to hold someone as a prisoner until a ransom is paid. The original meaning of kidnap, dating from the late seventeenth century, was "steal children to provide servants to the American colonies," from kid, "child," and nap, "snatch away." After the particularly notorious Lindberg baby kidnapping in 1932, the U.S. Congress passed a law allowing the FBI to investigate all kidnappings. Today the word kidnap includes all abductions, of both children and adults.

Example Sentences

"I thought they were going to kidnap us. I ran to a taco stand to take cover with the people there," Medina told AFP.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

At the same time, bald eagles were rumored to sometimes kidnap human babies and fly away with them in their talons.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

They immediately kidnap our 17-year-old daughter for a night of dancing, making sure to accompany her back to camp.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

The call comes as it publishes the results of a major inquiry which examined Iranian state assassinations and kidnap, espionage, cyber attacks and the country's nuclear programme.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2025

“Because,” Emma had explained, “nobody who’s going to kidnap you would promise, ‘Hey, little kid, would you like some succotash?’

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• capture
• hijack
• seize
• snatch
• steal