Kidnapping
'kɪdnæpɪŋ
Definitions
The unlawful seizure and confinement of a person against their will, often for ransom or other purposes.
'kɪdnæpɪŋ
The act of taking someone away illegally and holding them captive.
The kidnapping of the diplomat caused international outrage.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone secretly grabbing a person and taking them somewhere they don't want to go. Like, if someone took your best friend and wouldn't let them come back, that would be a kidnapping! Sometimes it is to get money.
👶 For kids: When someone takes a person away and keeps them somewhere they don't want to be.
More Examples
The ransom demand was delivered after the kidnapping.
Authorities are working to prevent further kidnappings in the region.
How It's Used
"The police are investigating the kidnapping."
"The news reported on the kidnapping of a local businessman."
Idioms & expressions
Kidnap victim
A person who has been kidnapped.
"The kidnap victim was held for three weeks before being released."
From 'kid' (child) + 'napping' (taking by force), derived from the verb 'kidnap,' which originated in the 17th century, possibly from the practice of abducting children for forced labor.
Used from the 17th century onward, initially referring to the abduction of children for labor or service, later expanding to cover the broader range of abductions for ransom or political purposes.
Memory tip
Think of a small kid being 'napped', meaning stolen or taken away.