captivity

American  

[kap-tiv-i-tee] / kæpˈtɪv ɪ ti /

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.

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captivity British  

/ kæpˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being captive; imprisonment

2. the period of imprisonment

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Other Word Forms

• precaptivity noun
• semicaptivity noun

Etymology

Origin of captivity

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

Example Sentences

Subsequent generations continued to resist captivity through sabotage and insurrection.

From The Wall Street Journal

He also said efforts were under way to work with security agencies to rescue those still in captivity.

From BBC

Mr. Lotoro is in awe of these composers in adversity: “Those who produced music in captivity were laying down a testament. These musicians were repairing a broken world.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Their captivity since July - during an earlier round of deadly clashes - has inflamed nationalist sentiment in Cambodia, their release being one of the main demands of the its government in the ceasefire talks with Thailand.

From BBC

Israeli psychologists working with children released from Hamas captivity after the 7 October attacks also stress the importance of re-establishing a sense of control.

From BBC

Related Words

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