hold hostage

== English == === Pronunciation === === Verb === hold hostage (third-person singular simple present holds hostage, present participle holding hostage, simple past and past participle held hostage) To hold as hostage. To have possession or custody of (a person) as security for performance against a treaty, a pledge, or a demand, especially now an extra-legal demand. To seek advantage in a situation by threatening the well-being or success of (a person or thing not directly involved in the situation). (computer science, of a hacker or malware) To sabotage (a computer) with intent to blackmail the owner. To hold in custody or use for any advantage. ==== Related terms ==== take hostage ==== Translations ==== === References === “hold hostage”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “hold hostage”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC.