Peonage definition and real examples with images and illustrations for advanced English learners. Improve your reading and listening comprehension with the word, peonage, from 601 Words You Need to Know to Pass Your Exam.
/ˈpē-ə-nij/ (noun)
Peonage definition
a punishment system in which a debtor is forced to work for a creditor until the debt is completely paid, debt-repayment system, enslavement
the condition or status of being a peon
Example
Peonage in the nineteenth century helped bring about the downfall of slavery. As chattel slavery was abolished, however, the former slave-holding states enacted a series of labor laws aimed exclusively at the freed slaves, which created a new system of forced labor known as peonage.
By definition, peonage is a form of involuntary servitude based on alleged debt or indebtedness. As of 1915 at least six former slave-holding states had statutes which made it possible to compel men to labor for others against their will.
Source of example: https://www.jstor.org
Parts of speech
Noun: peon
