ransom

• Somme d'argent ou paiement exigé ou versé pour la libération d'une personne retenue captive; peut aussi désigner l'action de libérer contre rançon.

A noun referring to money or payment demanded or paid for the release of a person who is being held captive.

1. Money demanded for releaseB2formal

   A sum of money or payment demanded for the release of a person who has been captured or kidnapped.

   Rançon

   • The kidnappers demanded a ransom of one million dollars.
   • The family paid the ransom to secure the safe return of their son.
   • Negotiations for the ransom lasted several days.

2. Payment for freedomB2formal

   A payment made to free someone from captivity or punishment.

   Rançon

   • The ancient king paid a ransom to free his captured soldiers.
   • The pirates demanded a ransom for the release of the ship's crew.
   • The government refused to negotiate with the captors over the ransom.

   Synonymespaymentpayoffpriceredemption

3. Act of freeing from captivityC1formal

   The act of freeing someone from captivity or punishment, often through payment.

   rançonnement

   • The ransom of the hostages was a top priority for the authorities.
   • The hero's ransom of the princess was celebrated throughout the kingdom.
   • The treaty included a clause for the ransom of all prisoners of war.

   Synonymesdeliveranceredemptionreleaserescue

• Verbe signifiant libérer quelqu'un ou quelque chose contre le paiement d'une rançon ou d'un prix exigé.

A verb meaning to release someone or something in exchange for payment or a demanded price.

1. To demand payment for releaseB2formal

   To demand a sum of money or payment in exchange for the release of a person or property that has been taken.

   rançonner

   • The kidnappers threatened to ransom the hostage for a million dollars.
   • They attempted to ransom the stolen artwork back to the museum.
   • The pirates ransomed the captured crew for a large sum of gold.

   Synonymesblackmailextort

2. To redeem or buy backB2formal

   To obtain the release of someone or something by paying a demanded price.

   racheter (en payant une rançon)

   • The family ransomed their son from the captors.
   • The company ransomed the stolen data from the hackers.
   • He ransomed his freedom by paying the debt.

   Synonymesbuy backbuy outdeliverfreeredeemreleaserescue