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 of captivity

• internment
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• confinement
• 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

The movie, which starred an orca named Keiko, also dispelled myths about the killer whale and inspired activism around their captivity. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 9 July 2026

Their captivity took them from western Siberia to Yekaterinburg. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026

When the Spanish settlers decamped for Cuba in 1763 after ceding Florida to the English, the few surviving Tequesta, their numbers decimated by 200 years of captivity and slavery, conflict and ill treatment, are believed to have departed with them. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Today, 160 servicemembers were released from captivity. — Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th 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