enslave

verb

en·​slave in-ˈslāv 

en-

enslaved; enslaving; enslaves

transitive verb

: to force into or as if into slavery : subjugate

The building holds bronze statues of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, who were born, and enslaved, on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

—Evan Osnos

It has long been known that Nordic warriors established outposts more than a millennium ago on Poland's Baltic coast, enslaving indigenous Slavic peoples to supply a booming slave trade, as well trading in salt, amber and other commodities.

—Andrew Higgins

This oddly contradictory view of artificial intelligence is somehow a perfect symbol of AI's place in our imaginations at this moment in history—something that will eliminate countless jobs, a boost for creativity, an end to drudgery, or perhaps a monstrous force that will take over our planet and enslave humanity.

—Minda Zetlin

enslavement

in-ˈslāv-mənt 

en-

noun

… the continued enslavement of millions of human beings after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

—Juan Cole

sexual/economic enslavement

enslaver noun

plural enslavers

British goods were shipped to Africa to be exchanged for enslaved captives, who were sold to enslavers in British colonies …

—Matthew Stallard and Aamna Mohdin

Examples of enslave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My father recounted to me that in the 19th century, Niagara Falls served as a vital stop on the underground railroad—a secret, informal network of people who sheltered escaped, formerly enslaved Black people. —Kiratiana Freelon, Parents, 21 May 2024

Murray, Davis' great-great-great-grandfather, was born in 1829 and was likely formerly enslaved. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 20 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

enslave

verb

en·​slave in-ˈslāv 

: to force into slavery

enslavement

-mənt 

noun

enslaver noun