noun
Uncommon
kidnapping
KIHD-na-pihng
Kidnapping (noun) means the crime of illegally seizing and holding a person against their will, often for ransom. Example: “The kidnapping made headlines across the country.”
noun
1
The crime of illegally seizing and holding a person against their will, often for ransom.
"The kidnapping made headlines across the country."
"He was sentenced to twenty years for kidnapping."
"The detective novel centres on the kidnapping of a rich family's daughter."
How to use kidnapping
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe crime of taking someone captive against their will.
Common pairings
a kidnapping case
charged with kidnapping
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like kidnapping.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- kidnappings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ made headlines across the country.
Etymology
From "kidnap" + "-ing," forming the noun for the act itself.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for kidnapping
mapping
rapping
tapping
lapping
yapping
zapping
napping
flapping
wrapping
trapping
slapping
clapping
See all rhymes for kidnapping →
Frequently asked questions
What does “kidnapping” mean?
The word “kidnapping” means the crime of illegally seizing and holding a person against their will, often for ransom. In plain terms, the crime of taking someone captive against their will.
How do you pronounce “kidnapping”?
“Kidnapping” is pronounced KIHD-na-pihng (/ˈkɪdnæpɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “kidnapping” in a sentence?
Here is “kidnapping” used in a sentence: “The kidnapping made headlines across the country.”
What part of speech is “kidnapping”?
“Kidnapping” is a noun.
Is “kidnapping” a common word?
“Kidnapping” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between kidnapping and abduction?
Kidnapping and abduction both describe illegally seizing and holding a person against their will, and the terms are often used interchangeably. In everyday usage, "kidnapping" is more commonly associated with cases involving a demand for ransom, though the crime does not always require one.
Is ransom always involved in kidnapping?
No. Kidnapping is defined as illegally seizing and holding a person against their will, and while this is often done for ransom, that is not a required element of the crime.
What is the difference between kidnapping and false imprisonment?
Kidnapping specifically involves illegally seizing and holding a person against their will, which typically includes moving or confining the victim by force. False imprisonment is a broader concept that can apply even without the seizure element that defines kidnapping.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include kidnapping:
