1. a person who is held prisoner or confined against their will

1. held as a prisoner; unable to escape
2. unable to avoid listening to or watching something

Examples

• The rebels released their captives after three days.
• Zoo animals are captive but well cared for.
• The captive audience had to listen to the entire speech.
• She felt like a captive in her own home.
• The captive birds were eventually returned to the wild.
• He held the crowd captive with his storytelling.
• The captive soldiers were treated according to international law.