DEFINITIONS
The
2019 WORD
OF THE YEAR is...

slavery

[ sley-vuh-ree, sleyv-ree ]
/ ˈsleɪ və ri, ˈsleɪv ri /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR slavery ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the condition of a slave; bondage.
the keeping of slaves as a practice or institution.
a state of subjection like that of a slave: He was kept in slavery by drugs.
severe toil; drudgery.

Content related to slavery

Emancipation ProclamationRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
These Common Words Have Nasty PastsRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Words related to slavery

bondage, labor, enslavement, servitude, captivity, serfdom, subjugation, enthrallment, thralldom, restraint, work, thrall, grind, drudgery, indenture, drudge, toil, subjection, peonage, feudalism

Words nearby slavery

slave-making ant, slaveholder, slaveling, slavenska, slaver, slavery, slavey, slavic, slavicism, slavicist, slavish

Origin of slavery

First recorded in 1545–55; slave + -ery

SYNONYMS FOR slavery

1 thralldom, enthrallment. Slavery, bondage, servitude refer to involuntary subjection to another or others. Slavery emphasizes the idea of complete ownership and control by a master: to be sold into slavery. Bondage indicates a state of subjugation or captivity often involving burdensome and degrading labor: in bondage to a cruel master. Servitude is compulsory service, often such as is required by a legal penalty: penal servitude.
4 moil, labor.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR slavery ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM slavery

pre·slav·er·y, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for slavery

British Dictionary definitions for slavery

slavery
/ (ˈsleɪvərɪ) /

noun

the state or condition of being a slave; a civil relationship whereby one person has absolute power over another and controls his life, liberty, and fortune
the subjection of a person to another person, esp in being forced into work
the condition of being subject to some influence or habit
work done in harsh conditions for low pay
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012