Bondage
/ˈbɒndɪdʒ/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe state of being enslaved or held captive; confinement; servitude.
/ˈbɒndɪdʒ/
State of being enslaved or confined
The slaves lived in bondage.
💡 Simply: Being trapped or enslaved.
More Examples
He felt a sense of bondage to his job.
How It's Used
"He was held in bondage for many years."
"The novel explores themes of physical and emotional bondage."
A state of being restricted or constrained; a feeling of being held back.
/ˈbɒndɪdʒ/
A state of being restrained or limited
The artist felt a sense of bondage to tradition.
💡 Simply: Feeling trapped or limited.
More Examples
He broke free from the bondage of his past.
How It's Used
"She felt a sense of bondage to her routine."
From Middle English *bondage*, from Old French *bandage*, from *bande* "band, tie". Ultimately of Germanic origin.
Historically, 'bondage' was primarily used to describe the state of slavery or servitude. Its figurative use to describe feeling constrained developed later.
Memory tip
Think of being 'bound' or tied up.
Word Origin
"band, tie"