abduct

verb

ab·duct | \ ab-ˈdəkt

, əb-; sense 2 also ˈab-ˌ\

abducted; abducting; abducts

Definition of abduct

1 : to seize and take away (a person) by force The girl was abducted by kidnappers.

2 : to draw or spread away (a part of the body, such as a limb or the fingers) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body or from the axis of a limb a muscle that abducts the arm

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Examples of abduct in a Sentence

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He was released in December 1992, just 11 months before Angie was abducted. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "A 9-year-old’s murder stumped police for 25 years. Her killer may have been hiding in plain sight.," 6 June 2019 He was released in December 1992, just 11 months before Angie was abducted. — Antonia Noori Farzan, The Denver Post, "Missouri 9-year-old’s murder went unsolved for 25 years; killer may have been hiding in plain sight before being arrested in Colorado," 6 June 2019 The 18-year-old woman was abducted from the 500 block of West Englewood Avenue about 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, police said in a community alert. — Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, "Woman abducted, sexually assaulted on South Side," 1 May 2018 The story follows the adventures of Billy Pilgrim, an American soldier who survives the bombing of Dresden in 1945, only to be abducted by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore and exhibited in their zoo. — Amanda Foreman, WSJ, "Fantasies of Alien Life," 7 Mar. 2019 Statistically, a child is twice as likely to die of the flu than to be abducted by a stranger. — Kiley Bates-brennan, Good Housekeeping, "I Let My 5-Year-Old Play Unsupervised In A Public Park—And Watched His Confidence Grow," 30 Nov. 2017 In addition, families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean spies four decades ago had hoped that Mr. Moon would raise the issue in his meeting with Mr. Kim. — Jane Perlez, New York Times, "Korean Accord Draws Praise, and Caution, From North’s Neighbors," 28 Apr. 2018 MacGyver Mac, Jack and Riley (Lucas Till, George Eads, Tristin Mays) head to Chernobyl to rescue an informant abducted by an underworld kingpin who doesn't want the man talking to the CIA. — Ed Stockly, latimes.com, "Friday's TV highlights: 'Hawaii Five-0' on CBS," 9 Mar. 2018 Then there is the trauma suffered by those abducted. — Janine Di Giovanni, Newsweek, "In Syria, Reporters Are Targets for Kidnapping," 29 Apr. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abduct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

13 Jun 2019

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The first known use of abduct was in 1765

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More Definitions for abduct

abduct

verb

ab·duct | \ ab-ˈdəkt

abducted; abducting

Kids Definition of abduct

: to take a person away by force : kidnap

abduct

transitive verb

ab·duct | \ ab-ˈdəkt, əb- also ˈab-ˌ\

Medical Definition of abduct

: to draw away (as a limb) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body the peroneus longus extends, abducts, and everts the foot— C. R. Bardeen also : to move (similar parts) apart abduct adjoining fingers

abduct

transitive verb

ab·duct | \ ab-ˈdəkt, əb-

Legal Definition of abduct

: to carry or lead (a person) away by threat or use of force or often by fraud also : to restrain or conceal (a person) for the purpose of preventing escape or rescue — see also kidnapping