prison

1 of 2

noun

pris·​on ˈpri-zᵊn How to pronounce prison (audio)
1
: a state of confinement or captivity
2
: a place of confinement especially for lawbreakers
specifically : an institution (such as one under state jurisdiction) for confinement of persons convicted of serious crimes compare jail

prison

2 of 2

verb

prisoned; prisoning; prisons

Examples of prison in a Sentence

Noun The state plans to build two more prisons. He was in prison at the time. If caught, they're all going to prison. She was sent to prison for robbery. He was released from prison. He's scheduled to get out of prison next month. Her marriage became a prison to her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The brothers remain in prison despite repeatedly appealing their convictions. Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Skylar Meade, 31, escaped custody about 2 a.m. Wednesday during a medical transport after Meade injured himself in prison, authorities said. Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Under his plea agreement, prosecutors agreed not to oppose a sentence lower than the range suggested under federal sentencing guidelines of 18 to 24 months in prison, Lewis’s lawyers said in the filing. Robert Burnson, Fortune Europe, 22 Mar. 2024 Jail in Dublin pending a transfer to the state prison system. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 The island had become both a prison and a sanctuary, contested terrain where empire’s exiles hashed out new identities. Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 As correction officers were preparing to transport him back to prison around 2:15 a.m. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024 Baker was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Gabriella Demirdjian, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2024 Meisner, Renner and Vigil face a maximum of life in prison because juveniles in Arizona cannot be sentenced to death. Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prison.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prison was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near prison

Cite this Entry

“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

prison

noun
pris·​on
ˈpriz-ᵊn
1
: a state of confinement or captivity
2
: a place where criminals or prisoners are locked up

Legal Definition

prison

noun
pris·​on
: an institution usually under state control for confinement of persons serving sentences for serious crimes compare house of correction, house of detention, jail, lockup, penitentiary

More from Merriam-Webster on prison

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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