abduction

noun

ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce abduction (audio)
əb-
1
: the action of abducting : the condition of being abducted
2
archaic : the unlawful carrying away of a woman for marriage or sexual intercourse

Examples of abduction in a Sentence

discredited reports of abductions by aliens
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cuéllar later refuted the suspicion that he was affiliated with the abduction. Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Napolitano, to this day, insists the abduction happened. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 4 Nov. 2024 Eastman, who was reportedly shot in the leg during his abduction, is believed to be alive, police say. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 To investigators at the scene of Polly Klaas’ abduction in early October 1993, the story strained belief. Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abduction 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin abdūctiōn-, abdūctiō "withdrawal, removal, allurement," from Latin abdūcere "to lead away" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abduct

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abduction was in 1632

Dictionary Entries Near abduction

Cite this Entry

“Abduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abduction. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

abduction

noun
ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən, əb- How to pronounce abduction (audio)
1
a
: the action of abducting
abduction of a robbery victim
b
: the tort or felony of abducting a person
2
: the unlawful carrying away of a wife or female child or ward for the purpose of marriage or sexual intercourse

Note: Sense 2 has its roots in common law. As statutorily defined, mainly in the nineteenth century, abduction was generally stated to include taking away or detention of a woman under a certain age, usually 16 or 18, with or without her consent or knowledge of her age.

More from Merriam-Webster on abduction

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