captivity

noun

cap·​tiv·​i·​ty kap-ˈti-və-tē 

1

: the state of being captive

Some birds thrive in captivity.

2

obsolete : a group of captives

Synonyms of captivity

• internment
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• confinement
• prison

Examples of captivity in a Sentence

The prisoners were released from captivity.

the wildlife refuge raises endangered species in captivity and then releases them into the wild

Recent Examples on the Web

Jaycee's 18 years in captivity came to an end in August 2009, after Phillip took their daughters (who were 15 and 11 at the time) to the University of California, Berkeley campus in search of an event permit to distribute religious flyers. —Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

Julie Elie, an associate project scientist in the department of neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley, now works with zebra finches in captivity after studying them in the wild. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

Eliya Cohen survived 505 days in captivity. —Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026

In 1999, artificial breeding by a pair donated from China successfully led to the first Japanese crested ibis chick born in captivity, according to the Environment Ministry. —ABC News, 31 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing captivity

• in captivity

Rhymes for captivity

• acclivity
• activity
• declivity
• festivity
• nativity
• passivity
• proclivity
• absorptivity
• affectivity
• collectivity
• conductivity
• connectivity