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

In 2000, there were only ten remaining West African black rhinos in the world, all in Cameroon, zero in captivity.

Read more on Literature

They are however classed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species -- primarily due to overfishing of the species which commercial fish farms cannot breed in captivity.

Read more on Barron's

Thailand promised to release 18 Cambodian soldiers it has held in captivity for the past few months.

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Twenty living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 24 people who died in captivity or during the Oct.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He later recounted the harrowing conditions in captivity, where he said he was often isolated and denied food.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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