confinement

noun

con·​fine·​ment kən-ˈfīn-mənt 

: an act of confining : the state of being confined

solitary confinement

especially : lying-in

Synonyms

• captivity
• immurement
• impoundment
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• internment
• 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

Now He’s Accused of Killing All 3 Copeland will remain in pretrial confinement, because of the seriousness of the charges, Griffin told WAVY. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 21 June 2025

Below, a full rundown of Kelly’s recent attempts to escape confinement. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 June 2025

The former Illinois House speaker is 83, so the likelihood of his dying while in confinement is considerable. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025

Brindley has filed a motion requesting Kelly’s release from prison and is pushing for home confinement, arguing that isolation is both mentally and physically damaging for the 58-year-old. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, from confiner "to confine entry 2" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

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