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
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 on the Web
Trump’s comments came on the same day Hamas released a rare video of two hostages in which they were shown above the ground and being driven around Gaza City.
—
Ibrahim Dahman, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Several world leaders have already rejected the plan and insisted that the only solution is the creation of a Palestinian state once Hamas hands over the hostages and a new Palestinian government takes over.
—Michele Chabin, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Israel’s internal conflict, the unfolding war in Gaza and the hostage situation are all connected to the battle over our country's identity.
—Ron Scherf, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Eight members of the Palestinian militant organization Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village and took 11 Israeli athletes hostage.
—Rebecca 'becca' Dyer, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostage
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Ibrahim Dahman, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Several world leaders have already rejected the plan and insisted that the only solution is the creation of a Palestinian state once Hamas hands over the hostages and a new Palestinian government takes over.
—Michele Chabin, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Israel’s internal conflict, the unfolding war in Gaza and the hostage situation are all connected to the battle over our country's identity.
—Ron Scherf, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Eight members of the Palestinian militant organization Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village and took 11 Israeli athletes hostage.
—Rebecca 'becca' Dyer, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostage
Cite this Entry
“Hostage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostage. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hostage
noun
hos·tage
ˈhäs-tij 
: a person held captive as a pledge that promises will be kept or terms met by another
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