captivity

noun

cap·​tiv·​i·​ty kap-ˈti-və-tē 

1

: the state of being captive

some birds thrive in captivity

2

obsolete : a group of captives

Synonyms

• confinement
• immurement
• impoundment
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• internment
• prison

Examples of captivity in a Sentence

The prisoners were released from captivity.

the wildlife refuge raises endangered species in captivity and then releases them into the wild

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s been just over eight months since the Jamaican dancehall legend was freed from captivity after serving 13 years behind bars for a murder conviction that was overturned on appeal in March 2024. —Rob Kenner, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025

A little more than 200 red wolves live in captivity, but fewer than 20 exist in the wild — all in a rural five-county section of northeastern North Carolina. —Zachery Eanes, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025

Many Ukrainian prisoners of war return from captivity looking skeletal and suffering serious health problems. —Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025

Freed Hamas hostage Yarden Bibas is reunited with his mother After more than 480 days in Hamas captivity, Yarden Bibas, the father of Hamas' youngest hostage, returned to Israel. —Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing captivity

• in captivity

Rhymes for captivity

• acclivity
• activity
• declivity
• festivity
• nativity
• passivity
• proclivity
• absorptivity
• affectivity
• collectivity
• conductivity
• connectivity