# bondage

/ˈbɑndɪdʒ/ (US) · /bˈɒndɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bondage
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. slavery

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

the state of being a slave or being owned by another person.

For teachers: the condition of being enslaved or the practice of slavery. Uncountable in its general sense.

- The people lived in bondage for generations before they finally gained their freedom.
- Historical accounts detail the brutal conditions of those held in lifelong bondage on the plantations of the eighteenth century.

### 2. lack of freedom

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

a situation where you are not free to do what you want because of rules or debt.

For teachers: the state of being under the control of another person or force; a lack of personal autonomy.

- He felt he was in financial bondage because of his massive student loans.
- The philosopher argued that ignorance is a form of mental bondage that prevents true self-determination.

### 3. sexual restraint

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a sexual practice where one person is tied up or restrained for pleasure.

For teachers: the practice of physically restraining a partner for sexual gratification, often involving ropes, handcuffs, or other devices.

- The couple decided to explore bondage as a way to spice up their relationship.
- The study examined the psychological motivations behind the practice of consensual bondage in adult relationships.

### 4. punk/goth fashion

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal

a style of clothing with many straps, buckles, and zips, often worn in punk or goth fashion.

For teachers: a style of dress characterized by straps, buckles, and hardware, derived from the aesthetic of physical restraint.

- He wore a pair of black bondage trousers with silver chains hanging from the pockets.
- The designer's new collection was heavily influenced by 1970s punk bondage gear, featuring excessive zippers and leather straps.

## Examples

- The prisoners lived in strict bondage.
- Many historians study the economic impact of slavery and bondage on early American society.
- The poet described the soul's longing for freedom as a release from the invisible bondage of fear and doubt.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.