ransom
/ˈrænsəm/
verb
- To obtain the release of someone by paying a demanded price.
- They ransomed the captured soldiers with a payment of gold.
- The family ransomed their daughter by paying the kidnappers.
- The company ransomed the stolen data from the hackers.
- To set someone free after receiving payment.
- The captors agreed to ransom the prisoners for food and supplies.
- The king ransomed the knight from the enemy castle.
- The pirates ransomed the sailors back to their country.
noun
- Money or payment demanded or paid for the release of a person who is being held captive.
- The kidnappers demanded a ransom of one million dollars.
- The police recovered the ransom money after arresting the criminals.
- The family paid the ransom and their son was released unharmed.
- The act of setting someone free after receiving payment.
- The ransom was completed without any violence.
- The ransom of the hostages took place early in the morning.
- Negotiations for the ransom lasted several weeks.