ransom

/ˈrænsəm/

/ˈrænsəm/

Other forms: ransomed; ransoms; ransoming

If you’re ever kidnapped, you’d probably be worth millions in ransom. Ransom is the money demanded for the release of a captive.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “held for ransom.” That means someone has been captured and is being held prisoner until a sum of money is delivered to the captors. Ransom can refer to the money paid, but it can also be a verb that describes paying for the release of someone being held. If you have to ransom your best friend, that means you’re paying his captors to release him.

Definitions of ransom

1. noun

   the act of freeing from captivity or punishment
   type of:

   recovery, retrieval

   the act of regaining or saving something lost (or in danger of becoming lost)
2. noun

   payment for the release of someone
   type of:

   defrayal, defrayment, payment

   the act of paying money
3. noun

   money demanded for the return of a captured person
   synonyms: ransom money

   type of:

   cost

   the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
4. verb

   exchange or buy back for money; under threat
   synonyms: redeem

   type of:

   change, exchange, interchange

   give to, and receive from, one another