prison

¹pris·on

noun \ˈpri-z^ən\

Definition of PRISON

1

: a state of confinement or captivity

2

: a place of confinement especially for lawbreakers; specifically : an institution (as one under state jurisdiction) for confinement of persons convicted of serious crimes — compare jail

Examples of PRISON

1. The state plans to build two more prisons.
2. He was in prison at the time.
3. If caught, they're all going to prison.
4. She was sent to prison for robbery.
5. He was released from prison.
6. He's scheduled to get out of prison next month.
7. Her marriage became a prison to her.

Origin of PRISON

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin prehension-, prehensio act of seizing, from prehendere to seize — more at get

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to PRISON

Synonyms: bastille, big house [slang], bridewell, brig, calaboose, can, clink [slang], cooler, coop, guardroom, hock, hold, hoosegow, jailhouse, joint [slang], jug, lockup, nick [British slang], pen, penitentiary, pokey [slang], jail, quod [British slang], slam, slammer, stir [slang], stockade, tolbooth [Scottish]

Related Words: bull pen, cage, cell, hole, tank; block, ward; glasshouse [British], guardhouse, hulk(s); concentration camp, gulag, labor camp, prison camp, stalag, work camp; dungeon, keep, oubliette; reformatory, reform school, training school

Near Antonyms: outside

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Rhymes with PRISON

mizzen, wizen