First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1ransom
noun ran·som \ˈran(t)-səm\
: money that is paid in order to free someone who has been captured or kidnapped
Full Definition of RANSOM
1
: a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity
2
: the act of ransoming
See ransom defined for English-language learners
See ransom defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of RANSOM
Middle English ransoun, from Anglo-French rançun, from Latin redemption-, redemptio — more at redemption
2ransom
verb
: to pay money in order to free (a person who has been captured or kidnapped)
Full Definition of RANSOM
transitive verb
1
: to deliver especially from sin or its penalty
2
: to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price
— ran·som·er noun
See ransom defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of RANSOM
14th century
Related to RANSOM
- Synonyms
- redeem
Synonym Discussion of RANSOM
rescue, deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger. rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action <rescued the crew of a sinking ship>. deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering <delivered his people from bondage>. redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary <job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment>. ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity <tried to ransom the kidnap victim>. reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased <reclaimed long-abandoned farms>. save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence <an operation that saved my life>.
Ransom
biographical name Ran·som \ˈran(t)-səm\
Definition of RANSOM
John Crowe 1888–1974 Am. educ. & poet
RANSOMING Defined for Kids
1ransom
noun ran·som \ˈran-səm\
Definition of RANSOM for Kids
1
: something paid or demanded for the freedom of a captured person
2
: the act of freeing from captivity by paying a price
2ransom
verb
ran·somedran·som·ing
Definition of RANSOM for Kids
: to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price
Learn More About RANSOM
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: ransomablePrevious Word in the Dictionary: ranselAll Words Near: ransom
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up ransom? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).