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

• confinement
• immurement
• impoundment
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• internment
• 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

What did the kidnappers do to John Paul Getty III? Months into his captivity, John Paul Getty III's ear was severed by his abductors and sent by mail with a lock of hair to a Roman newspaper, according to the New York Times. —Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 10 July 2024

Ones that don’t treat animals as commodities, don’t involve captivity, and don’t cause suffering. —Jessica Pierce, TIME, 23 June 2024

In telling their story, the film wrestles with notions of captivity, personal and political relationships, and the wistful longing for peace in a region plunged into war. —Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 20 June 2024

Now, some 2,000 of the horses live in captivity, and the Prague Zoo has become an international leader in their reintroduction to central Asia. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing captivity

• in captivity