servitude

American  

[sur-vi-tood, -tyood] / ˈsɜr vɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

1. slavery or bondage of any kind.

   political or intellectual servitude.

   Synonyms:

   thralldom, serfdom

   Antonyms:

   liberty

2. compulsory service or labor as a punishment for criminals.

   penal servitude.

3. Law. a right possessed by one person to use another's property.

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servitude British  

/ ˈsɜːvɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. the state or condition of a slave; bondage

2. the state or condition of being subjected to or dominated by a person or thing

   servitude to drink

3. law a burden attaching to an estate for the benefit of an adjoining estate or of some definite person See also easement

4. short for penal servitude

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Related Words

See slavery.

Etymology

Origin of servitude

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin servitūdō, equivalent to servi-, combining form of servus “slave” + -tūdō, -tude

Example Sentences

Viewers eventually learn Sophie’s servitude is forced after her parentage is revealed — she’s the illegitimate daughter of an earl.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

No-nonsense Maomao, a Tang Dynasty-era girl raised in a brothel who escapes servitude to parlay her apothecary skills in service of the palace, is one of the best female protagonists of all time.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2025

Sara suddenly found herself unwillingly living a life of servitude.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2025

The Declaration proclaimed all men created equal, yet the new nation’s economy depended on enslaved labor in the South and indentured servitude in the North.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

He openly condemned the rich for their oppression of the poor and inspired an alliance of white and black bond laborers, as well as slaves, who demanded an end to their servitude.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Related Words

• bondage
• enslavement
• serfdom
• subjugation