Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hold hostage

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.88 in modern English

Syllables: hold hostage
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

1

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To hold as hostage.

verb

To hold as hostage.

verb

To hold as hostage.

verb

To hold in custody or use for any advantage.

Example Sentences

"Mr. President, when someone holds up this bill and holds it hostage, it is holding hostage the money that would go to aid victims of disaster."
"Plans for the resumption of her nursery school were put on hold, held hostage by the polio epidemic."
"Before Frank could turn in his final exam, Jigsaw held his computer hostage."
"That way, a taxidriver cannot hold the traveler's luggage hostage in the trunk for more money."

Inflected Forms

holds hostage (present, singular) holding hostage (participle, present) held hostage (participle, past) held hostage (past)

Phrases

take hostage

Frequently Paired Words

take hostage

Questions

What does hold hostage mean?: To hold as hostage.

How to pronounce hold hostage

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “hold hostage”.
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