servitude

sociology

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

Servitude refers to the state of being enslaved or in a condition resembling slavery. It involves a loss of personal liberty and the deprivation of rights, with the enslaved individual often treated as property. This can manifest in various forms, including chattel slavery, where individuals are owned and controlled by another, or indentured servitude, where a person agrees to labor for a set period to pay off a debt or the cost of passage.123

In Anglo-American property law, "servitude" has a distinct meaning, referring to legal arrangements that tie rights and obligations to land ownership, affecting successive owners. These include easements, covenants, and profits, which govern land use, access, and the removal of natural resources. This legal definition is separate from the sociological concept of servitude as a state of bondage.4125

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Marxism
The contributions of Engels
…humanity from the condition of servitude imposed by the capitalist mode of production, the state will also be abolished and religion will disappear by “natural death.”
Read More
…humanity from the condition of servitude imposed by the capitalist mode of production, the state will also be abolished and religion will disappear by “natural death.”
Read More

Christianity
Human liberation
The servitude of people fallen away from God is much more oppressive than mere slavery of the senses and of greed for life. It is the enslavement not only of their “flesh” but also of all levels of their being, even the “most spiritual.”
Read More
The servitude of people fallen away from God is much more oppressive than mere slavery of the senses and of greed for life. It is the enslavement not only of their “flesh” but also of all levels of their being, even the “most spiritual.”
Read More