cellmate

noun

cell·​mate ˈsel-ˌmāt How to pronounce cellmate (audio)
variants or less commonly cell mate
plural cellmates also cell mates
: a person who shares a prison cell with another prisoner
When his cellmates learned that his bond had been set at $1 million (and bail at $500,000), they broke into laughter and shook their heads in disbelief.Richard Behar
Within a week, guards came by at night and told me to get ready. … I said goodbye to my cellmates and gathered my things …Clare Morgana Gillis

Examples of cellmate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Van Tine, 41, was severely beaten inside the jail by a cellmate whose history of violence was known to staff, the lawsuit alleges. Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 The report also said the extra bedding was left behind when Epstein’s cellmate was transferred the day before his death; Epstein was not immediately given a new cellmate, despite being at risk of suicide. Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026 In 2002, Bradford was convicted of first-degree manslaughter after killing his cellmate while in prison, KOKH reported. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026 His cellmate had reportedly alerted staff of the situation. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cellmate

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cellmate was in 1839

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Cite this Entry

“Cellmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cellmate. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.

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