Ransom | Mean of ransom in English Dictionary

/ˈrænsəm/

• Noun
• money that is paid in order to free someone who has been captured or kidnapped
1. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of one million dollars.
2. The family is willing to pay ransom for his release.
3. The ransom note explained the terms under which she would be released.
4. ransom money/payment
5. (chiefly US) A group of men is holding the ship's crew for ransom. = (Brit) A group of men is holding the ship's crew to ransom.
6. (Brit) The boy used his bad temper to hold his mother to ransom, forcing her to buy him sweets.
• Verb
• to pay money in order to free (a person who has been captured or kidnapped)
1. He was held captive for a week before he was ransomed and returned to his family.