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

During captivity, the animals get their vaccine shots for the plague and canine distemper, which grants them lifelong immunity. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Conlon wrote a book about another 1983 kidnapping, this one human, a supermarket executive rescued in the woods here after 23 days in IRA captivity and Conlon says Shergar's captors would have found a soft landing in Leitrim. — Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

The film, which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, is also produced by O’Barry’s son, Lincoln O’Barry, who, like his dad, is devoted to ending dolphin captivity. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Israel robs children of their smallest joys because joy is the seed of hope, and that is how the body learns that captivity is not the natural condition of life. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 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