- a person given or held as security for the fulfillment of certain conditions or terms, promises, etc., by another.
- a security or pledge.
- the condition of a hostage.
- to give (someone) as a hostage: He was hostaged to the Indians.
- a person given to or held by a person, organization, etc, as a security or pledge or for ransom, release, exchange for prisoners, etc
- the state of being held as a hostage
- any security or pledge
- to place oneself in a position in which misfortune may strike through the loss of what one values most
