# enslavement

/ɛnˈsɫeɪvmənt/ (US) · /ɛnslˈeɪvmənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/enslavement
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

the state of being forced to work for someone else and not being free to make your own choices.

For teachers: the state of being held in bondage or forced to serve another person or entity. Often used in historical or legal contexts to describe the systematic control of a population.

## Examples

- The enslavement of the people lasted for centuries.
- Historians study the enslavement of indigenous populations to understand how colonial powers maintained their control over vast territories.
- The abolition of the legal enslavement of individuals marked a significant turning point in the development of modern human rights and international law.

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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.