Word
kidnapping
Phoneticskid·nap·ping
US/ˈkɪdˌnæpɪŋ/
UK/kˈɪdnæpɪŋ/
Definition
n. the crime of taking a person away by force, often to hide them or demand money for their return.
n. the illegal act of seizing and carrying off a person by force or fraud, often for the purpose of ransom or other illicit gain.
Examples
“The police are investigating a kidnapping in the city center.”
“The wealthy businessman hired private security after a kidnapping attempt was reported in his neighborhood.”
“International law enforcement agencies collaborated to dismantle the network responsible for the kidnapping of several journalists, highlighting the increasing risks faced by reporters in conflict zones.”
Examples
simple
“The police are investigating a kidnapping in the city center.”
contextual
“The wealthy businessman hired private security after a kidnapping attempt was reported in his neighborhood.”
complex
“International law enforcement agencies collaborated to dismantle the network responsible for the kidnapping of several journalists, highlighting the increasing risks faced by reporters in conflict zones.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun for the crime itself, but can be countable when referring to a specific instance.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse this with 'hijacking', which specifically refers to taking control of a vehicle like a plane or truck.
Real-World Examples
“For television, he directed Stephen Rea and Isabella Rossellini in Crime of the Century (1996), about the 1932 Lindbergh baby kidnapping case.” “Within days of Rideout's kidnapping, the US warned its citizens against travelling to Niger due to an "increased risk of terrorism, crime and civil unrest".”