1
a
: a person held by one party in a conflict as a pledge pending the fulfillment of an agreement
b
: a person taken by force to secure the taker's demands
2
: one that is involuntarily controlled by an outside influence
Examples of hostage in a Sentence
The terrorists demanded a plane and a pilot in exchange for the hostages.
The hostage crisis is now entering its second week.
The passengers were taken hostage.
They were held hostage for several days.
Recent Examples on the Web
More than 100 of the hostages have been released – most as part of a cease-fire deal last November, and some freed in Israeli military operations.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
The firestorm has enraged Netanyahu’s political opponents and families of the hostages.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
The articles were published as ceasefire and hostage release negotiations were ongoing, but also as thousands of Israelis demonstrated almost daily calling on the government to strike a deal with Hamas and bring Israeli hostages home.
—Irene Nasser, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
The articles also seemed to provide political cover as Netanyahu faced intense criticism from families of the hostages and much of the Israeli public, who blame him for the failure to reach a deal.
—Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hostage 
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Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
The firestorm has enraged Netanyahu’s political opponents and families of the hostages.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
The articles were published as ceasefire and hostage release negotiations were ongoing, but also as thousands of Israelis demonstrated almost daily calling on the government to strike a deal with Hamas and bring Israeli hostages home.
—Irene Nasser, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
The articles also seemed to provide political cover as Netanyahu faced intense criticism from families of the hostages and much of the Israeli public, who blame him for the failure to reach a deal.
—Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hostage
Dictionary Entries Near hostage
Cite this Entry
“Hostage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostage. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hostage
noun
hos·tage
ˈhäs-tij 
: a person held captive as a pledge that promises will be kept or terms met by another
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