ransom

¹ American  

[ran-suhm] / ˈræn səm /

noun

1. the redemption of a prisoner or kidnapped person, of captured goods, etc., for a price.

   Synonyms:

   release, liberation, deliverance

2. the sum or price paid or demanded.

3. a means of deliverance or rescue from punishment for sin, especially the payment of a redemptive fine.

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verb (used with object)

1. to redeem from captivity, bondage, detention, etc., by paying a demanded price.

2. to release or restore on receipt of a ransom.

3. to deliver or redeem from punishment for sin.

Ransom ² American  

[ran-suhm] / ˈræn səm /

noun

1. John Crowe 1888–1974, U.S. poet, critic, and teacher.

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ransom ¹ British  

/ ˈrænsəm /

noun

1. the release of captured prisoners, property, etc, on payment of a stipulated price

2. the price demanded or stipulated for such a release

3. rescue or redemption of any kind

4. 1. to keep (prisoners, property, etc) in confinement until payment for their release is made or received

   2. to attempt to force (a person or persons) to comply with one's demands

5. a very large amount of money or valuables

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verb

1. to pay a stipulated price and so obtain the release of (prisoners, property, etc)

2. to set free (prisoners, property, etc) upon receiving the payment demanded

3. to redeem; rescue

   Christ ransomed men from sin

Ransom ² British  

/ ˈrænsəm /

noun

1. John Crowe . 1888–1974, US poet and critic

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ransom Idioms  

1. see king's ransom.

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Usage

What does ransom mean? A ransom is the money or goods demanded to be paid in exchange for the release of a captured or kidnapped person or piece of property.Ransom also commonly refers to the amount of money that the captor demands.It can also refer to such an exchange or the act of releasing a person or property for a price, as in The duke’s ransom depended on his wife gathering all the money demanded. Ransom can also be used as a verb meaning to get a person or property released by paying a price, as in I had to ransom my toy from the bully for $10.It can also mean to release a captive after receiving a ransom, as in Each prisoner was ransomed for $500. Less commonly, ransom can be used in a religious context to mean to redeem or deliver someone from punishment for sin, as Christians believe Jesus did.A person who holds someone in exchange for a ransom is called a ransomer.Ransomware is software that is illegally put on a computer and prevents users from accessing their data without paying a ransom.Example: The kidnapper demanded a hefty ransom before he released the princess to her father.

Related Words

See redeem.

Other Word Forms

• ransomer noun
• unransomed adjective

Etymology

Origin of ransom

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English noun ranso(u)n, rançoun, from Old French rançon, reançon from Late Latin redēmptiōn- (stem of redēmptiō ) redemption; verb derivative of the noun

Example Sentences

A 2022 law criminalised the payment of ransoms, but enforcement is difficult and families often resort to paying to secure the release of relatives.

From BBC

In one of several messages posted to her Instagram account, Savannah Guthrie pleaded for her mother’s safe release and agreed to pay the ransom.

From The Wall Street Journal

And when it feels like a company is, as you put it, holding your stuff for ransom, you may feel even more inclined to cough up whatever amount they insist you pay.

From MarketWatch

She offered to sell one of her kidneys if a ransom was necessary.

From The Wall Street Journal

The outlet, which previously reported receiving another possible Guthrie ransom note, said it had forwarded the new email to the FBI.

From BBC