Captive
noun
Someone who is kept as a prisoner or cannot escape from a situation.
The soldiers released their captives.
Often appears as...
- captive audience
- held captive
adjective
Not able to escape or leave a place or situation.
The company has a captive market in the town.
Often appears as...
- captive market
- captive audience
adjective
Kept inside a place such as a zoo rather than living out in the wild.
Captive breeding programs are helping to save endangered animals.
Often appears as...
- captive breeding
- captive population
Usage tips
Academic
noun
In business, a captive company or market is controlled by another company.
Our company is a captive supplier to the large manufacturers.
Often appears as...
- captive company
- captive market
Usage tips
Technical
noun
Someone who is kept as a prisoner or cannot escape from a situation.
The soldiers released their captives.
Often appears as...
- captive audience
- held captive
adjective
Not able to escape or leave a place or situation.
The company has a captive market in the town.
Often appears as...
- captive market
- captive audience
adjective
Kept inside a place such as a zoo rather than living out in the wild.
Captive breeding programs are helping to save endangered animals.
Often appears as...
- captive breeding
- captive population
Usage tips
Academic
noun
In business, a captive company or market is controlled by another company.
Our company is a captive supplier to the large manufacturers.
Often appears as...
- captive company
- captive market
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Describing an emotional state where someone feels restricted, like in a metaphorical prison.
He felt captive to his obligations.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Physical
Captivity might not be physical; it can refer to being controlled by a situation or emotions.
She was captive to her fears.
Pro Tip 3/3Release Context
Often used in contexts where someone or something is being freed.
The captives were finally released after negotiations.
Compare with
confinedetaineehostageinmateprisonersubjugatetrapvictim
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Video examples
The Atlantic slave...
Some captives took matters into their own hands. Many inland Africans had never seen whites before, and thought them to be cannibals, constantly taking people away and returning for more. Afraid of being eaten, or just to avoid further suffering, they committed suicide or starved themselves,
Video examples
Creating globally minded...
have to raise their hands in surviving can't stay at home stay at home they'll be taken captive and forced to be soldier I went to a displacement event where it's trying to help people understand what these kids are going through to be displaced from their homes
Video examples
Baby Ferret Training...
that box it's a totally different world mum has a total of five reluctant youngsters to try to coax into an uncertain future any time you deal with captive animals you're going to see not only the births which are very exciting
Video examples
Adorable Baby Animal...
that box it's a totally different world mum has a total of five reluctant youngsters to try to coax into an uncertain future any time you deal with captive animals you're going to see not only the births which are very exciting
Video examples
Feeding Baby Orphaned...
thousand miles from london and a world away from captive breeding i'm here to meet another animal family but a family with a difference just outside nairobi is a david sheldrick wildlife trust orphanage i'm on the milk round
Video examples
Are Red Pandas Friendly?...
habitats. So captive populations and breeding programs are vital for insurance populations for the wild. They also give people an opportunity to actually experience what a red panda is and raise awareness
Video examples
Let's design social...
Today, at least one out of three people on the planet have access to the Internet. But part of this Internet is being held captive by the less noble aspects of our human behavior. Five years ago, I said,
Video examples
Encouraging A New-Born...
with the iii's home on the island of madagascar being destroyed by human activity every little captive ai is becoming increasingly important because of their quirky looks an elusive nocturnal lifestyle
Video examples
Proof: Joel Sartore on...
my job my passion or what I'm trying to explore and share is the fact that we are throwing away the ark which is my attempt to document as many of the world's captive species as I can before
Video examples
Mesmerising Owl Moments...
this chick and her younger sibling have come from a pair of captive barn owls as they grow they'll give us a rare and incredible opportunity to learn more about these secretive birds
Video examples
The Atlantic slave...
Some captives took matters into their own hands. Many inland Africans had never seen whites before, and thought them to be cannibals, constantly taking people away and returning for more. Afraid of being eaten, or just to avoid further suffering, they committed suicide or starved themselves,
Video examples
Creating globally minded...
have to raise their hands in surviving can't stay at home stay at home they'll be taken captive and forced to be soldier I went to a displacement event where it's trying to help people understand what these kids are going through to be displaced from their homes
Video examples
Baby Ferret Training...
that box it's a totally different world mum has a total of five reluctant youngsters to try to coax into an uncertain future any time you deal with captive animals you're going to see not only the births which are very exciting
Video examples
Adorable Baby Animal...
that box it's a totally different world mum has a total of five reluctant youngsters to try to coax into an uncertain future any time you deal with captive animals you're going to see not only the births which are very exciting
Video examples
Feeding Baby Orphaned...
thousand miles from london and a world away from captive breeding i'm here to meet another animal family but a family with a difference just outside nairobi is a david sheldrick wildlife trust orphanage i'm on the milk round
Video examples
Are Red Pandas Friendly?...
habitats. So captive populations and breeding programs are vital for insurance populations for the wild. They also give people an opportunity to actually experience what a red panda is and raise awareness
Video examples
Let's design social...
Today, at least one out of three people on the planet have access to the Internet. But part of this Internet is being held captive by the less noble aspects of our human behavior. Five years ago, I said,
Video examples
Encouraging A New-Born...
with the iii's home on the island of madagascar being destroyed by human activity every little captive ai is becoming increasingly important because of their quirky looks an elusive nocturnal lifestyle
Video examples
Proof: Joel Sartore on...
my job my passion or what I'm trying to explore and share is the fact that we are throwing away the ark which is my attempt to document as many of the world's captive species as I can before
Video examples
Mesmerising Owl Moments...
this chick and her younger sibling have come from a pair of captive barn owls as they grow they'll give us a rare and incredible opportunity to learn more about these secretive birds
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Peter Singer
Australian Philosopher
There is no excuse for keeping wild animals in amusement parks or circuses. Until our governments take action, we should avoid supporting places where captive wild animals perform for our amusement. If the public will not pay to see them, the businesses that profit from keeping animals captive will not be able to continue.
Quote examples
Philomena Kwao
While education is hugely important, the ways in which women are portrayed in their communities are equally important. Portraying women as victims keeps women in a captive space and denies them of their agency: their ability to fight back and take ownership of their situation.
Quote examples
Matt Haig
British Novelist
Robots are great. I am saying that now so that when a future civilization of robots takes us captive, they will search through the 'Guardian' web archive and realise I said, 'Robots are great,' and then they'll choose to save me.
Quote examples
Rowan Williams
English Theologian
The answer was that in Burundi, having a clean bill of health has taken on a very particular meaning: unless and until you have paid for your hospital treatment, you simply can't leave, you are in effect a captive.
Quote examples
Patty Jenkins
American Director
Movies always had a captive audience, so they were able to do deeper, more complex things. Television was always about, 'Look at me now! Look at me now! Now go away!' That's starting to change.
Quote examples
Giordano Bruno
Italian Philosopher
Divine love does not weigh down, nor carry his servant captive and enslaved to the lowest depths, but raises him, supports him and magnifies him above all liberty whatsoever.
Quote examples
Gore Vidal
American Novelist
Until the rise of American advertising, it never occurred to anyone anywhere in the world that the teenager was a captive in a hostile world of adults.
Quote examples
Jessy Schram
American Actress
In 'Falling Skies,' I was playing a soldier and a fighter, and then, when I was taken captive, you're still in this post-apocalyptic world.
Quote examples
Walter Lippmann
American Journalist
We are all captives of the picture in our head - our belief that the world we have experienced is the world that really exists.
Quote examples
Sitting Bull
Statesman
What white woman, however lonely, was ever captive or insulted by me? Yet they say I am a bad Indian.
Quote examples
Peter Singer
Australian Philosopher
There is no excuse for keeping wild animals in amusement parks or circuses. Until our governments take action, we should avoid supporting places where captive wild animals perform for our amusement. If the public will not pay to see them, the businesses that profit from keeping animals captive will not be able to continue.
Quote examples
Philomena Kwao
While education is hugely important, the ways in which women are portrayed in their communities are equally important. Portraying women as victims keeps women in a captive space and denies them of their agency: their ability to fight back and take ownership of their situation.
Quote examples
Matt Haig
British Novelist
Robots are great. I am saying that now so that when a future civilization of robots takes us captive, they will search through the 'Guardian' web archive and realise I said, 'Robots are great,' and then they'll choose to save me.
Quote examples
Rowan Williams
English Theologian
The answer was that in Burundi, having a clean bill of health has taken on a very particular meaning: unless and until you have paid for your hospital treatment, you simply can't leave, you are in effect a captive.
Quote examples
Patty Jenkins
American Director
Movies always had a captive audience, so they were able to do deeper, more complex things. Television was always about, 'Look at me now! Look at me now! Now go away!' That's starting to change.
Quote examples
Giordano Bruno
Italian Philosopher
Divine love does not weigh down, nor carry his servant captive and enslaved to the lowest depths, but raises him, supports him and magnifies him above all liberty whatsoever.
Quote examples
Gore Vidal
American Novelist
Until the rise of American advertising, it never occurred to anyone anywhere in the world that the teenager was a captive in a hostile world of adults.
Quote examples
Jessy Schram
American Actress
In 'Falling Skies,' I was playing a soldier and a fighter, and then, when I was taken captive, you're still in this post-apocalyptic world.
Quote examples
Walter Lippmann
American Journalist
We are all captives of the picture in our head - our belief that the world we have experienced is the world that really exists.
Quote examples
Sitting Bull
Statesman
What white woman, however lonely, was ever captive or insulted by me? Yet they say I am a bad Indian.
Example 1 of 10
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