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

Selective confinement of ions The new research have tackled this problem with an innovative materials design strategy. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026

Federal prosecutors are recommending Claustro serve time in home confinement, rather than prison, along with probation. —Sean Emery, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026

Margaret Hunter, who was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and three years of probation for her role, got a presidential pardon the next day. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026

He was transferred to home confinement in Philadelphia, the Bureau of Prisons told TMZ Thursday. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 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