peonage

[ pee-uh-nij ]
/ ˈpi ə nɪdʒ /

noun

the condition or service of a peon.
the practice of holding persons in servitude or partial slavery, as to work off a debt or to serve a penal sentence.

Origin of peonage

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; peon1 + -age

Example sentences from the Web for peonage

British Dictionary definitions for peonage

peonage

peonism (ˈpiːəˌnɪzəm)

/ (ˈpiːənɪdʒ) /

noun

the state of being a peon
a system in which a debtor must work for his creditor until the debt is paid off

Cultural definitions for peonage

peonage
[ (pee-uh-nij) ]

A system of forced labor based on debts incurred by workers. Peonage developed particularly in plantation economies, where employers forced laborers to buy from employer-owned stores, pay inflated prices, and stay in debt.