abduct

verb

ab·​duct ab-ˈdəkt 

əb-;

sense 2 also

ˈab-ˌdəkt 

abducted; abducting; abducts

transitive verb

1

: to seize and take away (a person) by force

The girl was abducted by kidnappers.

2

: to draw or spread away (a part of the body, such as a limb or the fingers) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body or from the axis of a limb

a muscle that abducts the arm

abductor

ab-ˈdək-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• kidnap

Examples of abduct in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza on October 7 after the militant group Hamas, which governs Gaza, killed at least 1,200 people and abducted more than 250 others. —Mohammad Al Sawalhi, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024

The hostage, Efrat Katz, was abducted from Nir Oz, a kibbutz, on Oct. 7, the IDF said in a statement. —Lior Soroka, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

Carlee's mother and father told reporters that their daughter had indeed been abducted and that the perpetrator was still at large. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024

On July 13, 2023, Russell, then a 25-year-old nursing student, called 911 and told Hoover police she was abducted after seeing a toddler on the side of the road. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2024

Doll has been abducted by the disagreeable Brothers Ferdia, who impart justice their own way: by holding him hostage in the remote home of their cousin Dev. —Hazlitt, 20 Mar. 2024

The new film centers on Furiosa (Taylor-Joy), who is abducted in her younger years by Warlord Dementus (Hemsworth) and prepares herself to find her way back home to the Green Place of Many Mothers. —Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2024

Police had been searching for 15-year-old Kaylee Cope from Grove City, Ohio, who police said was abducted by her 17-year-old boyfriend Jeffery Gimenez. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2024

After a nearly 49-hour police search, Russell returned home and said she had been abducted, held hostage and escaped her captors. —Maxime Tamsett, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abdūctus, past participle of abdūcere "to draw (a limb) away from the body," going back to Latin "to lead away, carry off, remove, entice away," from ab- ab- + dūcere "to lead" — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

abduct

verb

ab·​duct ab-ˈdəkt 

1

: to carry (a person) off by force

2

: to draw (a part of the body) away from a middle plane or line that divides the body or a bodily part into right and left halves

abduction

-ˈdək-shən

noun

Medical Definition

abduct

transitive verb

ab·​duct

ab-ˈdəkt, əb- also ˈab-ˌ

: to draw away (as a limb) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body

the peroneus longus extends, abducts, and everts the foot

—C. R. Bardeen

also : to move (similar parts) apart

abduct adjoining fingers

abduction

ab-ˈdək-shən, əb- 

noun

Legal Definition

abduct

transitive verb

ab·​duct ab-ˈdəkt, əb- 

: to carry or lead (a person) away by threat or use of force or often by fraud

also : to restrain or conceal (a person) for the purpose of preventing escape or rescue see also kidnapping

abductor

-ˈdək-tər 

noun