/ˈhɒstɪdʒ ||; ˈhɑstɪdʒ/noun [C] a person who is caught and kept prisoner. A hostage may be killed or injured if the person who is holding him/her does not get what he/she is asking for 人质: The robbers tried to take the staff hostage. 那几个盗贼试图把全体员工扣作人质。The hijackers say they will hold the passengers hostageuntil their demands are met. 劫机者说，他们要挟持乘客作为人质，直到他们的要求得到满足。 ☞Look at ransom. 参看ransom。