abduction

noun

ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən 

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

Synonyms

• hijacking
• highjacking
• kidnapping
• kidnaping
• rape
• snatch [slang]

Examples of abduction in a Sentence

discredited reports of abductions by aliens

Recent Examples on the Web

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

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

Legal Definition

abduction

noun

ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən, əb- 

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.