kidnap

verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap 

kidnapped also kidnaped ˈkid-ˌnapt  ; kidnapping also kidnaping

transitive verb

: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom

kidnappee noun

or kidnapee

ˌkid-ˌna-ˈpē 

kidnapper noun

or less commonly kidnaper

Synonyms

• abduct

Examples of kidnap in a Sentence

the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom

Recent Examples on the Web

Crawford was arrested the day after Ray was kidnapped from her parents' home and stabbed to death in Tippah County. —Landon Mion, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024

However, two other men separately confessed to killing the 6-year-old pageant princess Comments On the morning of Dec. 26, 1996, JonBenét Ramsey's mother Patsy called the police to report that the 6-year-old was kidnapped. —Jessica Sager, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024

Gutierrez-Ochoa allegedly kidnapped two members of the Mexican Navy around November 2021 in an attempt to secure the release of his mother-in-law, El Mencho’s wife, who had been arrested by Mexican authorities. —Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024

In November 2021, the suspect allegedly kidnapped two members of the Mexican Navy, attempting to secure the release of El Mencho's wife from Mexican custody. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid + obsolete napper thief

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

kidnap

verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap 

kidnapped also kidnaped -ˌnapt  ; kidnapping also kidnaping

-ˌnap-iŋ

: to carry away a person by unlawful force or by fraud and against his or her will

kidnapper noun

also kidnaper

-ˌnap-ər

Legal Definition

kidnap

transitive verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap 

kidnapped or kidnaped -ˌnapt  ; kidnapping or kidnaping

-ˌna-piŋ

: to seize and confine or carry away by force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom

kidnapper noun

or kidnaper

-ˌna-pər

Etymology

probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief