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

Wardens were previously required to provide, as well as cover the cost of, hormonal drugs and medically unnecessary procedures to prisoners who sought to physically alter themselves to appear as the opposite sex. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026

El Salvador’s government recently filed a complaint against Colombia, alleging that prisoners in the South American country were threatening Salvadoran residents through extortion calls. —ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026

Friedmann had improved the lives of countless American prisoners through the courts, the legislative process, and the press. —James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

Benefits to prisoners suspended. —Tom Margenau, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 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