A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or similar agreement, such as to ensure the status of a vassal.

(possibly nonstandard) To give (someone or something) as a hostage to (someone or something else).

plural of hostage

simple past tense and past participle of hostage

(obsolete) A hostage; a person held hostage.

plural of hostager

present participle of hostage

An action or remark that is considered unwise because it could invoke trouble or be difficult to live up to.

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.

(transitive) To take custody or possession of a person as security for performance against a treaty, a pledge, or a demand, especially now an extra-legal demand; to take as hostage.