A hostage is a person seized by an abductor in order to compel another party such as a relative, employer, law enforcement or government to act, or refrain from acting, in a certain way, often under threat of serious physical harm to the hostage after expiration of an ultimatum.

What does hostage mean?

Definition of hostage

1a : a person held by one party in a conflict as a pledge pending the fulfillment of an agreement. b : a person taken by force to secure the taker's demands. 2 : one that is involuntarily controlled by an outside influence.

Is Hostage Taking a crime?

Hostage-taking and kidnapping are often used interchangeably to describe a crime, which involves illegal detention.