hostage
A person held captive to demand something from a third party. Used in crime, war, and figurative contexts.
The bank robber took a customer hostage.
He is being held hostage as a bargaining chip.
The criminal took the bank clerk hostage.
The terrorists held the passengers as hostages.
After negotiations with the police, the hostage was released.
The special forces rescued the hostages.
He accidentally ended up becoming the robber's hostage.