captivity

[kap-tiv-i-tee]

noun

plural

captivities 

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

   Synonyms: incarceration, confinement, imprisonment, 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 Word Forms

• precaptivity noun
• semicaptivity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of captivity¹

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

Example Sentences

But he's also phoning the families of every Ukrainian he met in captivity: he memorised all their names and each detail.

From BBC

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been facing strong domestic pressure to agree a deal that would enable the return of all hostages still in captivity.

From BBC

But there is a chance it could take longer to heal, in which case the raptor’s stint in captivity may be too long for it to successfully reintegrate into nature.

From Los Angeles Times

He talked about the prisoners of war who endured horrific conditions in Japanese captivity - and all the "grievous hardships" faced by innocent civilians of occupied territories.

From BBC

An estimated 71,000 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth died fighting in Japan, including upwards of 12,000 prisoners of war held in Japanese captivity.

From BBC

Related Words

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