imprison

verb

im·​pris·​on im-ˈpri-zᵊn How to pronounce imprison (audio)
imprisoned; imprisoning; imprisons

transitive verb

: to put in or as if in prison : confine
imprisonment noun

Examples of imprison in a Sentence

He was imprisoned for murder. He has threatened to imprison his political opponents.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those imprisoned under that code were forced to wear a pink triangle to denote homosexuality. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025 The crackdown left hundreds killed, thousands imprisoned and several executed. Sahar Zand, ABC News, 28 June 2025 This one-season triumph from 1967 is about a spy (Patrick McGoohan) imprisoned in a village by sinister forces who want something from him. Rory Doherty, Time, 27 June 2025 Which story series inspired the U.K. ringleader (subsequently convicted and imprisoned)? Sherlock Holmes, created by Arthur Conan Doyle Hercule Poirot, an Agatha Christie sleuth James Bond, invented by Ian Fleming The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson Thanks for reading! Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for imprison

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French emprisoner, from en- + prison prison

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imprison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprison. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

imprison

verb
im·​pris·​on im-ˈpriz-ᵊn How to pronounce imprison (audio)
imprisoned; imprisoning
-ˈpriz-(ə-)niŋ
: to put in or as if in prison
imprisonment noun

Legal Definition

imprison

transitive verb
im·​pris·​on
: to confine in prison especially as punishment for a crime compare false imprisonment
imprisonment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on imprison

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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