Pronunciation: /kæp.tɪ.və.ti/

Definitions of captivity

noun the state of being imprisoned or confined

Example Sentences

A1 The animals were kept in captivity at the zoo.

A2 The captives were held in captivity for several years before being released.

B1 The captivity of the prisoners was a violation of human rights.

B2 The captive dolphins were trained to perform tricks for the audience.

C1 The captivity of wild animals for entertainment purposes is a controversial issue.

C2 The political prisoner endured years of solitary confinement in captivity.

adjective captivity does not have an adjective form

Example Sentences

A1 The animals were kept in captivity at the zoo.

A2 The bird had been in captivity for many years before being released back into the wild.

B1 The documentary highlighted the challenges faced by animals in captivity.

B2 The researcher studied the behavior of dolphins in captivity compared to those in the wild.

C1 The conservationists worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions of animals in captivity.

C2 The debate over the ethics of keeping animals in captivity continues to be a heated topic among scientists and activists.

Examples of captivity in a Sentence

formal The animals were kept in captivity for research purposes.

informal The animals were stuck in cages for study.

slang The poor creatures were locked up for science.

figurative His mind felt like it was in captivity, unable to break free from the constraints of society.

Grammatical Forms of captivity

past tense

captivated

plural

captivities

comparative

more captive

superlative

most captive

present tense

captivates

future tense

will be captive

perfect tense

have been captive

continuous tense

is being captive

singular

captivity

positive degree

captive

infinitive

to capture

gerund

captivating

participle

captivated

Origin and Evolution of captivity

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'captivity' originated from the Latin word 'captivitas', which is derived from the root word 'captivus' meaning 'captive'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'captivity' has retained its original meaning of being held captive or imprisoned, but it has also come to be used in a more metaphorical sense to describe a state of being controlled or restricted in some way.