hostage
A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or similar agreement, such as to ensure the status of a vassal.
Other meanings
A person seized in order to compel another party to act (or refrain from acting) in a certain way, because of the threat of harm to the hostage.
Something that constrains one's actions because it is at risk.
Synonyms
- surety
Related words
- hostagehood
- take hostage
- hold hostage
- hostage negotiator
- hostageship
- hostage-taker
- hostage taker
- hostage to fortune
- guestage
- hostage diplomacy
- hostager
Word history
From Old French "hostage".
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “hostage” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.