hostage

[US]/ˈhɒstɪdʒ/
[UK]/ˈhɑːstɪdʒ/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. a person who is captured and held as a guarantee for the fulfillment of certain conditions or demands, often in order to force other parties to comply

Phrases & Collocations

hostage crisis

Example Sentences

they let the hostages go.

He was hostaged to the enemies.

Will they let the hostages go?

a voluntary hostage; voluntary community work.

superpowers held hostage to each other by their nuclear arsenals.

hostages were better left out of the picture.

the hostages were traded for arms.

all the hostages were released unharmed.

They covenanted that their hostages would be present.

The terrorists will only release their hostages on certain conditions.

The hostages were well treated by their captors.

making objectives explicit is to give a hostage to fortune .

The price exacted by the hijackers for redeeming the hostages was extortionate.

The bodies of the hostages were found riddled with bullets.

The homecoming of the released hostages and their reunion with their families was an affecting scene.

One of the hostages was foolhardy enough to try to wrest the gun from the hijacker's hand.

The United States played a key role in getting the hostages released.

Are you really sure you want to know who your real mother is? It may be taking a hostage to fortune, you know.

Real-world Examples

They all say they feel like hostages.

Source: This month VOA Special English

Could I hold this plane hostage with my 3DS?

Source: 2018 Best Hits Compilation

You chose to take those people hostage.

Source: Super Girl Season 2 S02

Israel said that Hamas is holding 220 hostages.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

He robbed a bank and took 18 hostages.

Source: Modern Family - Season 08

Ianka, you can't hold my memories hostage.

Source: Lost Girl Season 4

The kidnappers released their hostages when the negotiations ended.

Source: VOA Slow English - Word Stories

They're being used as hostages, held as hostages.

Source: BBC Listening Collection July 2023

We... we taped her up and held her hostage.

Source: The Good Place Season 2

I would have gotten them to free the hostages.

Source: Super Girl Season 2 S02

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