# kidnapping

/ˈkɪdˌnæpɪŋ/ (US) · /kˈɪdnæpɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kidnapping
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the crime of abduction

noun · CEFR B2

the crime of taking a person away by force, often to hide them or demand money for their return.

For teachers: the illegal act of seizing and carrying off a person by force or fraud, often for the purpose of ransom or other illicit gain.

- The police are investigating the kidnapping of a wealthy businessman's daughter.
- The high-profile kidnapping sent shockwaves through the city, leading to a massive manhunt and increased security for public figures.

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.

## 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.

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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.