confinement

noun

con·​fine·​ment kən-ˈfīn-mənt 

1

: an act of confining : the state of being confined

solitary confinement

2

: lying-in

Synonyms of confinement

• captivity
• internment
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• prison

Examples of confinement in a Sentence

The dog was kept in confinement until it was determined to be healthy.

He remained with his wife during her confinement.

Recent Examples on the Web

Last week, Jeffrey Ying, who faced up to 10 years in federal prison, was sentenced on one count of major artwork theft to time served – just under a year – and a year of home confinement plus three years of supervised release. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Between 2018 and 2025, he was detained several times for drug use and possession and driving under the influence (DUI); he was sentenced to 10 days of confinement in 2024 for DUI. — Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

The couple cited the COVID-19 confinement as having a negative impact on their relationship. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026

His public defender says Bonheur should get home confinement… for running a $7-million racket. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, from confiner "to confine entry 2" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing confinement

• solitary confinement

Rhymes for confinement

• misalignment
• nonalignment
• realignment
• reassignment
• reconsignment
• alignment
• alinement
• assignment
• consignment
• refinement

Medical Definition

confinement

noun

con·​fine·​ment kən-ˈfīn-mənt 

: an act of confining : the state of being confined

especially : lying-in

Legal Definition

confinement

noun

con·​fine·​ment

1

: the act of confining

2

: the state of being confined