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

Besigye's case is part of a broader trend of transnational repression in East Africa, where opposition figures have faced abductions and deportations. —John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025

Later, after Muller released Huskins, police would accuse her of lying about her abduction. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025

In Other News Branch out with other reads on The Hill: California authorities warn of Amber alert scam targeting parents The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is warning parents about scammers using the fear of child abduction to gain sensitive information. —Julia Shapero, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025

The nationwide alert system was created to quickly inform the public of child abductions. —Christina Shaw, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025

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.