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
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Origin of RANSOM

Middle English ransoun, from Anglo-French rançun, from Latin redemption-, redemptio — more at redemption
First Known Use: 13th century

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

First Known Use of RANSOM

14th century

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

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Next Word in the Dictionary: ransomablePrevious Word in the Dictionary: ranselAll Words Near: ransom
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