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

Ukrainian officials said 150 Ukrainian servicemen and seven civilians returned from Russian captivity. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026

This most recent spate of films leaves genre theatrics behind and instead uses the power dynamics of captivity as a jumping-off point for other conversations. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026

Ukrainian officials said 150 Ukrainian servicemen and seven civilians returned from Russian captivity. —Kamila Hrabchuk, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026

The rescue came about after Jordan Turpin — who was 17 at the time — escaped from the home and told authorities about their captivity and abuse. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 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