Main Entry:

¹pris·on

Pronunciation:

\ˈpri-z^ən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

12th century

1: a state of confinement or captivity2: 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