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
Synonyms
Noun
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
Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
Kim Taylor, who could have faced a maximum sentence of five years in prison per count, must serve four months of home confinement following her prison release plus two years of probation, as well as cover $5,200 in court costs.
—Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
Jesus Hernandez, 25, was sentenced in Criminal District Court No. 3 to 10 years in prison under plea bargain terms negotiated by the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office and the defendant’s defense attorneys.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
Doctors in Idaho who provide abortions, even to stabilize a pregnant patient with a complication, face a felony punishable by up to two to five years in prison.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024
The group’s unrelenting coordinated attacks began on February 29 against police stations, prisons, key government infrastructure and other facilities with the goal of deposing the current government.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Citing prison security, Martuscello also announced the lockdown of all facilities from 2 to 5 p.m. on April 8 to prevent inmates from congregating during the eclipse.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
The bill's opponents included a number of prison reform groups and the State Public Defender's office.
—Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
State prisons: In the April 1 Section A, an article about possible prison closures referred to state Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) as an Assembly member.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Noun
Each count carries up to 15 years in prison, though typically such sentences are handed down concurrently, not consecutively.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
Kim Taylor, who could have faced a maximum sentence of five years in prison per count, must serve four months of home confinement following her prison release plus two years of probation, as well as cover $5,200 in court costs.
—Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
Jesus Hernandez, 25, was sentenced in Criminal District Court No. 3 to 10 years in prison under plea bargain terms negotiated by the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office and the defendant’s defense attorneys.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
Doctors in Idaho who provide abortions, even to stabilize a pregnant patient with a complication, face a felony punishable by up to two to five years in prison.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024
The group’s unrelenting coordinated attacks began on February 29 against police stations, prisons, key government infrastructure and other facilities with the goal of deposing the current government.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Citing prison security, Martuscello also announced the lockdown of all facilities from 2 to 5 p.m. on April 8 to prevent inmates from congregating during the eclipse.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
The bill's opponents included a number of prison reform groups and the State Public Defender's office.
—Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
State prisons: In the April 1 Section A, an article about possible prison closures referred to state Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) as an Assembly member.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near prison
Cite this Entry
“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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