bondage

noun

bond·​age ˈbän-dij 

1

: the tenure or service of a villein, a serf, or an enslaved person

2

: a state of being bound usually by compulsion (as of law or mastery): such as

a

: captivity, serfdom

b

: servitude or subjugation to a controlling person or force

young people in bondage to drugs

3

: sadomasochistic sexual practices involving the physical restraint of one partner

Synonyms

• enslavement
• servility
• servitude
• slavery
• thrall
• thralldom
• thraldom
• yoke

Example Sentences

a population held in bondage

Recent Examples on the Web

Last week, photos surfaced of a Balenciaga campaign that showed children holding teddy bears in leather gear resembling that used in BDSM, an acronym for bondage, discipline, dominance, submission and sadomasochism. —Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2022

Though the Kardashians star released a lengthy statement condemning the brand after its controversial holiday campaign that featured kids holding teddy bears dressed in bondage, she's been spotted in several ensembles from the fashion house in the last month. —Tracey Harrington Mccoy, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2023

The bill, which still needs Governor Charlie Baker’s approval, would set aside the third Saturday in July as Negro Election Day, recognizing the adoption of the first Black voting system in Massachusetts in 1741 — when Black people could still be held in bondage by white slaveholders. —John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022

The ribbon, Lee explains, is much more than just a hair accessory (it’s recommended for light bondage use, for instance). —Lindy Segal, Harper's BAZAAR, 26 May 2022

The officers are in bondage, too. —Mike Cason | [e-mail], al, 3 Nov. 2022

With homelessness and unemployment on the rise, people are in economic bondage. —Dallas News, 15 June 2022

The vision was of her as a military leader with, of course, some leather bondage pieces over it. —Gary Grimes, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2023

Inside, the book features interviews between Bivens and each actor about their look, original essays from fashion writers on things like camp and normcore bondage, and deep-dives into the history of key style elements like Converse sneakers or tennis skirts. —Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Apr. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from bonde customary tenant, from Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bondage

noun

bond·​age ˈbän-dij 

: the state of being a slave or serf