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

On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had warned Hamas leaders living abroad that they faced "annihilation" and Gaza would be destroyed if the group did not release its hostages and lay down its arms.

From BBC

Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to conquer all of Gaza after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July.

From BBC

“So I was kind of held hostage, you know, and that’s just a bad feeling.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Palestinian armed group said it was discussing how to develop the ideas, noting that it was ready to release its 48 remaining hostages in Gaza in return for a "clear" declaration ending the war.

From BBC

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists total victory over Hamas will bring the hostages home.

From BBC

Related Words

• captive 
• prisoner 
• victim