What is the term for a system in which individuals are legally owned by others?

The term "slavery" specifically refers to a system in which individuals are legally owned by others, meaning that they are compelled to work and live under the ownership of another person without the freedom to leave or make personal choices regarding their lives. This institution has existed in various forms throughout history and is characterized by the complete control the owner has over the enslaved individuals, often involving severe exploitation and the absence of any rights.

In contrast, serfdom refers to a feudal system where individuals are tied to the land they work and owe service to a landowner, but they are not owned outright. Indentured servitude involves individuals working for a predetermined period under a contract, usually in exchange for passage to a new country or to pay off a debt, and they ultimately regain their freedom. Bondage can refer more broadly to any state of servitude or restriction but does not specifically imply legal ownership as slavery does. Thus, "slavery" is the most accurate term for describing a system of legal ownership of individuals.