1. plural of captivity; states of being imprisoned, confined, or held against one’s will
2. plural of captivity; conditions of animals being kept in zoos, reserves, or other controlled environments rather than in the wild

Examples

• The prisoners endured long captivities before being released.
• Many animals born in captivities have never experienced life in the wild.
• The documentary explored the psychological effects of prolonged captivities.
• Different captivities require different rehabilitation approaches.
• The zoo works to improve conditions for animals in their captivities.
• Historical accounts describe the harsh captivities of war prisoners.
• Some species actually thrive in well-managed captivities.