kidnapping
/ˈkɪdnæpɪŋ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: kidnappings
Meaning · English
The crime of taking a person against their will, sometimes for ransom.
Noun
Examples
The Kiryat Malachi native, who had been working as a bartender in Tel Aviv before his kidnapping, was last seen trying to hide next to a car as a terrorist fired a rocket-propelled grenade at him and a friend.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “kidnapping” mean?
The crime of taking a person against their will, sometimes for ransom.
Is “kidnapping” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.