Slavery

/ˈsleɪvəri/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The condition of being legally owned by another person, in which a person is forced to work for that owner without pay.

The history of slavery in the United States is a painful and complex subject.

A state of being under the control of someone else, often used in a metaphorical sense to describe severe oppression or exploitation.

Many activists fight against modern slavery and human trafficking around the world.

The practice or system of owning slaves.

The abolition of slavery was a significant milestone in human rights history.

From Middle English 'slavere', from Old French 'esclavain', from Latin 'sclavus' meaning 'slave'.

slavery abolition

The act of ending the practice of slavery.

modern slavery

Current forms of slavery, including human trafficking and forced labor.

slave

A person who is owned by another and forced to work.

abolition

The act of ending a system or practice, especially slavery.

freedom

The state of not being in captivity or enslaved.

oppression

Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment.

Work your fingers to the bone.

I’ve been working so much lately, it feels like I'm in slavery, working my fingers to the bone.

Wage slave.

He feels like a wage slave, trapped in a job with no freedom.