ransom

1. N-VAR A ransom is the money that has to be paid to someone so that they will set free a person they have kidnapped. 赎金

Her kidnapper successfully extorted a $250,000 ransom for her release. 绑架者们成功地勒索了25万美元的赎金才释放她。

2. V-T If you ransom someone who has been kidnapped, you pay the money to set them free. 赎出

The same system was used for ransoming or exchanging captives. 同一系统也被用来赎回或交换俘虏。

3. PHRASE If a kidnapper is holding a person for ransom, they keep that person prisoner until they are given what they want. 劫持某人以勒取赎金

He is charged with kidnapping a businessman last year and holding him for ransom. 他被指控去年绑架了一名商人并挟持他以勒索赎金。