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

On the larger island of Sainte-Marguerite, make the light hike to Fort Royal, known for its famous former prisoner, the Man in the Iron Mask, or try and snag one of the hardest reservations on the French Riviera—beach restaurant and club La Guérite—and dance into the late afternoon. —Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025

The more than 200 migrants who were deported to CECOT were sent to Venezuela in July in a prisoner swap. —Armando Garcia, ABC News, 22 Dec. 2025

Also, at Old Colony Correctional Center, a Fall River woman was arrested and charged with delivering drugs or articles to a prisoner. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025

DeFord has been active in speaking with prisoners and juvenile offenders, encouraging them to find productive outlets for their feelings like therapy and music. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2025

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