false imprisonment

noun

: imprisonment of a person contrary to law

Examples of false imprisonment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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He was initially arrested on three felony charges, including false imprisonment, but the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office ultimately declined to pursue those charges, PEOPLE reported at the time. Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026 Days after his arrest, Kendra too was taken into custody and they were both hit with four counts each of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree false imprisonment. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026 They were each charged with four misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026 The two have been charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, second degree, as well as four counts of false imprisonment, second degree. Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for false imprisonment

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of false imprisonment was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“False imprisonment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20imprisonment. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

Legal Definition

false imprisonment

noun
: the tort of intentionally restraining another by physical force or the threat of physical force without privilege or authority see also false arrest at arrest

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