prisoner

noun

pris·​on·​er ˈpriz-nər 

ˈpri-zᵊn-ər

1

: a person deprived of liberty and kept under involuntary restraint, confinement, or custody

especially : one on trial or in prison

2

: someone restrained as if in prison

a prisoner of her own conscience

see also take-no-prisoners, take no prisoners

Synonyms

• captive
• capture

Examples of prisoner in a Sentence

He was captured by rebel forces and kept as their prisoner for several months before they set him free.

The families were held prisoner for four days.

Recent Examples on the Web

Authorities identified the 38-year-old Idaho prisoner who was killed in a private prison in Arizona. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 23 Aug. 2025

Authorities sent prisoners wanted in the United States in connection with drug-trafficking ties, according to Mexico's attorney general's office. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025

In 2023, for example, CoreCivic inmates made up roughly 36% of Tennessee prisoners. —Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025

This follows numerous prisoners taking part in hunger strikes last month to protest inadequate medical care, poor food and lockdowns. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prisoner

• co-prisoner
• political prisoner
• prisoner of conscience
• prisoner of war
• prisoner's base
• take (someone) prisoner

Kids Definition

prisoner

noun

pris·​on·​er ˈpriz-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

: a person who has been captured or locked up

Legal Definition

prisoner

noun

pris·​on·​er

: a person deprived of liberty and kept under involuntary restraint, confinement, or custody

especially : one under arrest, awaiting trial, on trial, or serving a prison sentence