hostage [ hos-tij ] sit·u·a·tion /ˌsiCHəˈwāSH(ə)n : a situation in which someone is holding people as hostages. A hostage situation is one in which a person(s) takes control over another person(s), is demanding some type of action and not allowing the person(s) being held to leave. Use in sentence: The #Djs left the crowd in a hostage situation. The crowd couldn’t leave the dance floor.