noun
Common
hostage
HOS-tihj
Hostage (noun) means a person held captive to force someone else to do, or not do, something. Example: “The journalist was freed after being held hostage for several weeks.”
noun
1
A person held captive to force someone else to do, or not do, something.
"The journalist was freed after being held hostage for several weeks."
"The gunman took two bank employees hostage."
"Negotiators worked for hours to secure the hostages' release."
2
Something that limits or restricts a person's freedom of action, used figuratively.
"Small businesses felt held hostage by the sudden rise in fuel costs."
"I refuse to be a hostage to my phone any longer."
"His health problems held his career hostage for years."
How to use hostage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person held captive to pressure someone else, or figuratively, anything that restricts your freedom.
Common pairings
take hostage
hold hostage
hostage situation
hostage negotiator
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Word forms
- Plural
- hostages
- Third person singular
- hostages
- Past tense
- hostaged
Fill the gap
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The journalist was freed after being held _____ for several weeks.
Etymology
From Old French hostage, likely tracing back either to hoste ("host," via the idea of someone taken into "lodging" turning into captivity) or to a Latin word for "captive."
Related words
Rhymes for hostage
See all rhymes for hostage →Frequently asked questions
What does “hostage” mean?
The word “hostage” means a person held captive to force someone else to do, or not do, something. In plain terms, a person held captive to pressure someone else, or figuratively, anything that restricts your freedom.
How do you pronounce “hostage”?
“Hostage” is pronounced HOS-tihj (/ˈhɑs.tɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hostage” in a sentence?
Here is “hostage” used in a sentence: “The gunman took two bank employees hostage.”
What part of speech is “hostage”?
“Hostage” is a noun.
Where does the word “hostage” come from?
The word “hostage” comes from Latin. From Old French hostage, likely tracing back either to hoste ("host," via the idea of someone taken into "lodging" turning into captivity) or to a Latin word for "captive.".
Is “hostage” a common word?
“Hostage” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hostage” have?
“Hostage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person held captive to force someone else to do, or not do, something.
What is the difference between a hostage and a prisoner?
A hostage is held specifically to pressure a third party into doing or not doing something, so their value lies in what someone else will give up for them. A prisoner is simply someone held in custody, often as punishment, without that bargaining purpose.
What is the difference between a hostage and a captive?
Every hostage is a captive, but not every captive is a hostage. "Captive" simply means someone held against their will, while "hostage" adds the specific idea of being used as leverage to force another party to act.
What are common phrases using hostage?
Hostage frequently appears in "take hostage," "hold hostage," "hostage situation," and "hostage negotiator." Figuratively, people say a plan or budget is "held hostage" when something else blocks it from moving forward.
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