Captivity

State of being confined or held in restraint.

imprisonment captivity

Captivity refers to the state of being confined or held in restraint, typically against one's will. It often involves imprisonment, detention, enslavement, or captivity in a physical space such as cages, enclosures, or prisons.

Etymology

From Old French captivite, from Latin captivitas, from capere (to take prisoner).

Explain Like I’m 5

Captivity is when a person or animal isn't free to move around wherever they want, like being in a zoo or prison.

Fun Facts

Many zoos focus on conservation efforts to protect endangered species through captive breeding programs
Historically, royalty often kept exotic animals in captivity as symbols of power and wealth
Some captive animals have lived longer than they would in the wild due to consistent care

FAQ

What does captivity mean? It means being confined or held in restraint
Who might experience captivity? Animals in zoos, people in prisons, and others restricted from free movement
Is captivity always negative? Not necessarily
some animals thrive in captive environments with proper care

Synonyms — Similar or Related Terms

imprisonment detention confinement

Antonyms — Opposites or Contrasts

freedom liberty

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

restriction confinement

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

imprisonment enslavement zoo captivity

Indexes

legal status negative experience social concept

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