captivity
kæpˈtɪvɪti
captivities
Definition Synonyms

Definition of captivity - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
imprisonmentstate of being confined or imprisoned
  • The animal lived in captivity for years.
confinement detention imprisonment
2.
time heldperiod during which someone is held captive
  • His captivity lasted for five long years.
confinement imprisonment
3.
slaveryRarestate of being a slaveRare
  • She was born into captivity and knew no freedom.
bondage enslavement servitude
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Expressions with captivity

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born and raised by humans, not in the wild
These lions are bred in captivity.
kept in a place and not allowed to be free
The in captivity tigers rarely hunt for food.

Origin of captivity

Latin, captivus (captive)

Terms with captivity included in their meaning

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freedadj.
liberation
released from captivity or confinement
captivity
caught in a physical trap or enclosure
freedom
escape from physical confinement or captivity
escapee
person or animal that escapes control or captivity
captivity release
release from confinement or restraint
captivity
person held against their will
freedom
freed from confinement or captivity
rights
set free from captivity, oppression, or outside rule

Examples of captivity in a sentence

  • Captivity can have severe effects on mental health.
  • The zoo worked to improve conditions during the animals' captivity.
  • After years of captivity, the hostages were finally released.
  • He escaped captivity after many years.
  • The prisoners lived in captivity for decades.

View all translations of captivity

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:captivité, esclavage, ...
  2. German:Gefangenschaft, Inhaftierung, ...
  3. Italian:cattività, schiavitù, ...
  4. Spanish:cautiverio, esclavitud, ...
  5. Portuguese:cativeiro, ...
  6. Chinese:拘禁, 囚禁, ...
  7. Japanese:捕われの身, 拘留, ...
  8. Arabic:أَسْر, احتجاز, ...
  9. Hebrew:שֶׁבִי, תְּקוּפַת שֶׁבִי, ...
  10. Russian:неволя, пленение, ...
  11. Ukrainian:неволя, рабство, ...
  12. Hindi:कैद, बंदीपन, ...
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