hostage

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noun hos·tage \ ˈhä-stij \

Definition of hostage

1 a :a person held by one party in a conflict as a pledge pending the fulfillment of an agreement

b :a person taken by force to secure the taker's demands

2 :one that is involuntarily controlled by an outside influence

See hostage defined for English-language learners

See hostage defined for kids

Examples of hostage in a Sentence

The terrorists demanded a plane and a pilot in exchange for the hostages.
The hostage crisis is now entering its second week.
The passengers were taken hostage.
They were held hostage for several days.

Recent Examples of hostage from the Web

The bank manager Merriweather took as a hostage escaped when Merriweather fell, allowing sheriff's deputies to shoot and wound Merriweather.

— ivana hrynkiw, AL.com, "Bank robber found mentally competent in Bessemer massacre, plea and sentencing underway," 9 Aug. 2017
The three comrades, ignoring government authorities, take matters into their own hands to attempt to subdue the terrorists and rescue a female hostage.

— idahostatesman, "Idaho woman writes about her dad, Appeals Court chief judge, who was gay," 4 Aug. 2017
The court’s spokeswoman, Natalya Osipova, said the assailants took the two guards hostage but were quickly engaged by the courthouse’s security.

— vladimir isachenkov, The Seattle Times, "3 defendants die in desperate escape attempt at Moscow court," 1 Aug. 2017
Throw the motive of private profit into the mix, and the basic civic responsibility of local criminal justice becomes hostage to stockholders all over the world.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Why Private Prisons Don't Work, Part Infinity," 31 July 2017
Notably, Euron Greyjoy and his men seized Yara’s fleet of ships and took the rightful queen of the Iron Islands hostage in an abrupt, intense battle sequence.

— chanel vargas, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Violent Game of Thrones Detail You Missed Shows Just How Cruel Euron Greyjoy Really Is," 24 July 2017
All of this has been lavishly funded by money from sanctions relief, unfrozen assets, and $400 million surreptitiously delivered to Iran in January 2016 in exchange for five American hostages.

— the editors, National Review, "Certifiable Madness," 19 July 2017
Many of us feel like hostages to a society that seemingly cares more about gun rights than punishing those who kill unarmed or legally armed people of color.

— chaédria labouvier, SELF, "Why the Women's March Against the NRA Is So Crucial for the Black Community," 18 July 2017
R Kelly has been holding women hostage against their will, according to an explosive article by Buzzfeed published Monday.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "7 Things We Learned About R Kelly From Buzzfeed's Article On His Secret 'Cult'," 17 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of hostage

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from hoste

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First Known Use: 13th century

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HOSTAGE Defined for English Language Learners

hostage

play

noun

Definition of hostage for English Language Learners

: a person who is captured by someone who demands that certain things be done before the captured person is freed

HOSTAGE Defined for Kids

hostage

play

noun hos·tage \ ˈhä-stij \

Definition of hostage for Students

:a person who is captured by someone who demands that certain things be done before the captured person is freed

Learn More about hostage

Spanish Central: Translation of hostage Nglish: Translation of hostage for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hostage for Arabic speakers

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hostage

Definition of hostage

Examples of hostage in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of hostage

HOSTAGE Defined for English Language Learners

hostage

Definition of hostage for English Language Learners

HOSTAGE Defined for Kids

hostage

Definition of hostage for Students

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