ransom
noun
the redemption of a prisoner or kidnapped person, of captured goods, etc., for a price.
ransoms
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pluralof ransom.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof ransom (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
ransomnounthe redemption of a prisoner or kidnapped person, of captured goods, etc., for a price.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Law enforcement organisations tell extortion victims not to pay ransoms as it fuels the criminal ecosystem.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
It was definitely not cheap paying off these pirates, whether it was ransoms or tariffs.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
It is illegal to pay ransoms in Nigeria, but analysts say payments by desperate families, intermediaries or, in some cases, state authorities have fuelled the abductions.
From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026
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 ● Feb. 24, 2026
The King of England had ordered that there were to be no ransoms in hit sort of battle.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
