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

Nearly a year after their abduction by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, the bodies of the hostages — Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov and Ori Danino — were recovered from a tunnel under the city of Rafah. —Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2024

She is charged with three felony abduction and kidnapping charges as well as second-degree assault, according to court records, which did not list a defense attorney for the woman. —Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 1 Aug. 2024

The Kenya Human Rights Commission issued a statement condemning the response by police, who have been accused of using heavy-handed tactics during these protests, including live rounds on crowds, beatings and even abductions. —Emmanuel Igunza, NPR, 26 June 2024

Citing Young-White’s alleged history of abuse, Commissioner Jeffrey W. Korn in a court order reviewed by The Times said there was a risk of child abduction in the case. —Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 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.