I. ran ‧ som 1 /ˈræns ə m/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: rançon , from Latin redemptio ; ⇨ ↑ redemption ]
1 . an amount of money that is paid to free someone who is held as a prisoner:
The kidnappers were demanding a ransom of $250,000.
The government refused to pay the ransom.
ransom demand/note
There has still been no ransom demand.
He’s got the ransom money.
2 . hold somebody for ransom ( also hold somebody to ransom British English ) to keep someone prisoner until money is paid:
His daughter was kidnapped and held for ransom.
3 . hold somebody to ransom British English to put someone in a situation where they have no choice and are forced to agree to your demands:
He has accused the nurses of holding the government to ransom by threatening to strike.
II. ransom 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
to pay an amount of money so that someone who is being held as a prisoner is set free:
They were all ransomed and returned unharmed.