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

Jewish prisoners helped build the synagogue, with some support from Fleischer and others in the outside community. — Stephen Silver, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

If Hamas released female, elderly, and wounded hostages, Israel would withdraw from population centers in Gaza and release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Smith was a redhead, short and slightly built, with a pleasant nature, at least according to the Courant, which had regular access to the prisoner, including occasions when reprieves were delivered. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Miguel Banuelos, a prisoner who walked away from Washington Ridge Conservation Camp in California and was captured in Tijuana, Mexico, was reported at large again after a Mexican magistrate released him, officials said. — Arkansas Online, 19 July 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