captivity

[ kap-tiv-i-tee ]

noun

, plural cap·tiv·i·ties.

1. the state or period of being held, imprisoned, enslaved, or confined.

   Synonyms: imprisonment, incarceration, confinement, subjection, thralldom, slavery, servitude, bondage

   Antonyms: freedom

2. (initial capital letter) Babylonian captivity.

captivity

/ kæpˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being captive; imprisonment
2. the period of imprisonment

Other Words From

• precap·tivi·ty noun
• semi·cap·tivi·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of captivity¹

1275–1325; Middle English captivite (< Old French ) < Latin captīvitās. See captive, -ity

Example Sentences

As he recounts both in Blindfold and, in Theo Who Lived, the surprisingly light-spirited documentary about his captivity, he came to know his subjects a little too well.

From Time

She wants to investigate if mole-rat colonies in captivity might call differently than their counterparts in the wild.

From Popular-Science

Two pairs had youngsters, and each family snuggled together when reunited in captivity.

From Science News

First, they need to use it in a scenario where they can measure a bear without using the new technology, like with an animal in captivity.

From Popular-Science

Trapped in a lab somewhere, a biomass escapes captivity and begins to wreak havoc on its human captors.

From Time

Shin eventually escaped North Korean captivity while in Vienna.

From The Daily Beast

Like a Jack in the Box just sprung from coiled captivity, he begins rambling excitedly.

From The Daily Beast

“There was one good thing about it,” Chuck Davis says about his time in captivity.

From The Daily Beast

But the general circumstances of her capture and captivity have been known and widely reported for more than a year now.

From The Daily Beast

The center had seemingly proven wrong people who contend that rescued eaglets can only survive in captivity.

From The Daily Beast

Ezechias shews all his treasures to the ambassadors of Babylon: upon which Isaias foretells the Babylonish captivity.

From Project Gutenberg

He reproaches the Jews for their obstinacy: he will deliver them out of their captivity, for his own name's sake.

From Project Gutenberg

Under the figure of the deliverance from the Babylonish captivity, the church is invited to rejoice for her redemption from sin.

From Project Gutenberg

The cities of the south are shut up, and there is none to open them: all Juda is carried away captive with an entire captivity.

From Project Gutenberg

The prophet is persecuted: he denounces captivity to his persecutors, and bemoans himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bondage
• confinement
• custody
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• slavery