abduction

noun

ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce abduction (audio)
əb-
1
: the action of abducting : the condition of being abducted
2
archaic : the unlawful carrying away of a woman for marriage or sexual intercourse

Examples of abduction in a Sentence

discredited reports of abductions by aliens
Recent Examples on the Web In Nigeria, the military use of schools rose, while abductions from schools continued. Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024 The parents, who have met with numerous political leaders in the months since their son’s abduction, spoke at the convention nearly two weeks before news broke of his death. Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2024 He has been charged with two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, three counts of parental abduction, four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and domestic assault, police said. Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2024 The series comes after Michal Herba was quietly released 18 months ago for his part in Ayling's abduction (Lukasz Herba is expected to walk free early next year after his 16-year sentence was reduced on appeal). Irenie Forshaw, The Week Uk, theweek, 13 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abduction 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abduction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin abdūctiōn-, abdūctiō "withdrawal, removal, allurement," from Latin abdūcere "to lead away" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abduct

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abduction was in 1632

Dictionary Entries Near abduction

Cite this Entry

“Abduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abduction. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

Legal Definition

abduction

noun
ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən, əb- How to pronounce abduction (audio)
1
a
: the action of abducting
abduction of a robbery victim
b
: the tort or felony of abducting a person
2
: the unlawful carrying away of a wife or female child or ward for the purpose of marriage or sexual intercourse

Note: Sense 2 has its roots in common law. As statutorily defined, mainly in the nineteenth century, abduction was generally stated to include taking away or detention of a woman under a certain age, usually 16 or 18, with or without her consent or knowledge of her age.

More from Merriam-Webster on abduction

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