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 of prisoner

• 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

Set within an Indonesian correctional facility, the narrative follows inmates whose survival instincts are tested when a mysterious new prisoner arrives accompanied by a supernatural entity that targets those with the darkest aura. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026

On July 18, 2025, they were flown to El Salvador and gained their freedom as part of a prisoner swap. —Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026

President Bernardo Arévalo issued an emergency declaration after prisoners took 43 guards hostage, killing 10 officers. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026

The federal prisoner, Raymond Gaines, was granted clemency by President Biden during his final week in office. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026

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