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

In total, 251 people were taken hostage that day, and some 1,200 others were killed.

From BBC

Some fear Hamas has walked into a trap, and that Israel will reclaim its hostages only to resume the war.

From BBC

Giorgia Meloni has made recognition by her government conditional on the release of all Israeli hostages and the exclusion of Hamas from government.

From BBC

Speaking to the BBC, Ali argued he had not been referencing the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians - killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

From BBC

There are believed to be 48 hostages still being held in the Palestinian territory by the armed group, only 20 of whom are thought to be alive.

From BBC

Related Words

• captive 
• prisoner 
• victim