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)

hostaged, hostaging 

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

Other Word Forms

• hostageship 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

Earlier videos of hostages released by their captors in Gaza have been condemned by world leaders and families as propaganda.

From BBC

Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led 7 October attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 more were taken hostage.

From BBC

Israel has rejected a statement from Hamas saying the armed group is ready for a "comprehensive deal" to end the Gaza war and free all its hostages.

From BBC

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel's intention to conquer all of Gaza after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July.

From BBC

She may also be a hostage to fortune in the promise that the Budget will help bring inflation, currently at 3.8%, down.

From BBC

Related Words

• captive 
• prisoner 
• victim