a person or animal whose ability to move or act freely is limited by being kept in a space; a prisoner, especially a person held by the enemy during a war
The guards told the captive that there was no way he could escape the prison.
The explorer became a captive of the hostile tribe after inadvertently crossing into their territory, held against his will until negotiations for his release took place.
During wartime, many soldiers found themselves as captives in enemy camps, facing uncertain conditions until a prisoner exchange or liberation.
The animal rights activists worked tirelessly to rescue the captive dolphins from a marine park, advocating for their release into a more natural and humane environment.
