Bondage is the state of being a slave or being under someone else’s total control. It can also refer to being tied up physically.
It comes from “bond,” meaning “something that binds,” plus the noun-forming ending “-age.” Historically, it often referred to serfdom and legal dependency.
The word connects physical tying, legal control, and emotional captivity. That’s why we can speak of “bondage to fear” as well as literal chains—English treats all deep kinds of unfreedom as if they were ropes.
‘Bondage’ historically referred to conditions of slavery and unfreedom, and in modern contexts also to sexual practices. Women and marginalized genders have disproportionately experienced coercive forms of bondage, including sexual exploitation.
Use with care and clear context, especially given associations with slavery and sexual practices; never trivialize non-consensual bondage.
["slavery","captivity","restraint","BDSM (when specifically consensual)"]
Women and other oppressed groups have resisted systems of bondage and fought for legal and social recognition of consent and bodily autonomy.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.