Ransom Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of RANSOM

:

money that is paid in order to free someone who has been captured or kidnapped

[count]

• The kidnappers demanded a ransom of one million dollars.

[noncount]

• The family is willing to pay ransom for his release.
• The ransom note explained the terms under which she would be released.
• ransom money/payment
• (chiefly US) A group of men is holding the ship's crew for ransom. = (Brit) A group of men is holding the ship's crew to ransom.

— sometimes used figuratively

• (Brit) The boy used his bad temper to hold his mother to ransom, forcing her to buy him sweets.

— see also king's ransom

Britannica Dictionary definition of RANSOM

[+ object]

:

to pay money in order to free (a person who has been captured or kidnapped)

• He was held captive for a week before he was ransomed and returned to his family.