kidnap

verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped also kidnaped ˈkid-ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; kidnapping also kidnaping

transitive verb

: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
kidnappee noun
or kidnapee
kidnapper noun
or less commonly kidnaper

Examples of kidnap in a Sentence

the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Recent Examples on the Web In the film, when two boys are kidnapped in a border town in Nepal, Detective Inspector Pooja is sent from Kathmandu to solve the case. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Oct. 2024 The thieves temporarily kidnapped the driver along with the truck. Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 There was Ocean View Cafe, the Ukrainian restaurant where a woman says that he must have been kidnapped. Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Oct. 2024 Till, a Black 14-year-old boy, was kidnapped, beaten and lynched in Mississippi in August 1955 after being accused of whistling at a white woman. Deena Zaru, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kidnap 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kidnap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid + obsolete napper thief

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kidnap was in 1682

Dictionary Entries Near kidnap

Cite this Entry

“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

kidnap

verb
kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped also kidnaped -ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; kidnapping also kidnaping
-ˌnap-iŋ
: to carry away a person by unlawful force or by fraud and against his or her will
kidnapper noun
also kidnaper
-ˌnap-ər

Legal Definition

kidnap

transitive verb
kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped or kidnaped -ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; kidnapping or kidnaping
-ˌna-piŋ
: to seize and confine or carry away by force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
kidnapper noun
or kidnaper
-ˌna-pər
Etymology

probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief

More from Merriam-Webster on kidnap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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