noun.
The state of being a prisoner, or of coming into the power of an enemy by force or the fortune of war.
noun.
Subjection; the state of being under control; bondage; servitude.
noun.
Captives collectively; a body of captives.
noun.
Synonyms Imprisonment, Captivity, Confinement, Incarceration, Immurement. There is the same distinction between imprisonment and captivity as between prisoner and captive. (See captive.) Confinement is the most general word for being kept within bounds against one's will, as by force or sickness; we speak of solitary confinement, and figuratively, of too great confinement (though voluntary) to one's books. Incarceration is the being put into a jail or prison; the word is rhetorical, suggesting ignominy, with narrow range and great safeguards against escape. Immurement, literally shutting within walls, is now freely figurative; in either sense it suggests depth of separation or seclusion from friends, home, or the world, and small likelihood of getting or coming out. (See servitude and serf.)