Ransom

Ransomcan mean two things:

1. Holding apersonagainst their will, in order to get somemoney(or some other things)
2. The money, or the goods which (could possibly) be obtained in such a way.

If people talk about that they need to pay money to the state or thepolice,to get free, the correct legal term used is usuallybail.

Often in piracy, pirates would steal something or someone important and demand a ransom payment.