Hostage — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Hostage
Hostage (noun)
- a person held by one party in a conflict as a pledge pending the fulfillment of an agreement
- a person taken by force to secure the taker's demands
- one that is involuntarily controlled by an outside influence
Origin & Etymology of Hostage
Middle English hostage, ostage, borrowed from Anglo-French, "lodging, residence, custody of a person held as security against fulfillment of an agreement, the person so held," from hoste "guest, host" + -age -age host:1
First known use: 13th century
Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Hostage
- CEFR level: C1 English Vocabulary — Page 14
- Topics: Law, Politics & Society
Words & Phrases Containing Hostage
Frequently Asked Questions about Hostage
What does "Hostage" mean?
"Hostage" means a person held by one party in a conflict as a pledge pending the fulfillment of an agreement. As a noun, it is defined as: a person held by one party in a conflict as a pledge pending the fulfillment of an agreement. It has 3 distinct senses.
Is "Hostage" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Hostage" is a noun.
Is "Hostage" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?
As a C1-level word, "Hostage" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.
How do you pronounce "Hostage"?
"Hostage" is pronounced /ˈhä-stij/ and divided into syllables as hos·tage.
What is the origin of the word "Hostage"?
"Hostage" comes from Middle English hostage, ostage, borrowed from Anglo-French, "lodging, residence, custody of a person held as security against fulfillment of an agreement, the person so held," from hoste "guest, host" + -age -age host:1. First known use: 13th century.
What CEFR level is "Hostage"?
"Hostage" is a C1-level word in SophDict's CEFR vocabulary lists, which group English words from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient).
What topics is "Hostage" used in?
"Hostage" is commonly used in topics such as Law, Politics & Society.