Serfdom: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'serfdom' when referring to historical or feudal systems in which peasants were legally bound to the land and subject to the control of a lord.

• During the Middle Ages, serfdom was a common part of the feudal system in Europe.
• The decline of serfdom in Western Europe began in the late medieval period.

The term 'bondage' is generally used to describe a state of being subject to external control or extreme restriction, often through force or coercion, and can have both literal and metaphorical applications.

• She felt like she was in bondage to her demanding job.
• Historically, many people lived in bondage under various forms of servitude.

Use 'enslavement' to describe the state or act of being made a slave, often through force, and typically involving severe suppression of freedom and personal rights. This word has a strong negative connotation.

• The transatlantic slave trade led to the brutal enslavement of millions of Africans.
• He spoke passionately about the fight against modern-day enslavement.

The term 'peonage' is specific to a system where workers (peons) are bound in servitude due to debt. It highlights economic exploitation.

• Peonage was a widespread problem in post-Civil War America, especially in the southern states.
• The new laws helped to abolish peonage and improve labor rights.