: any of a group occupying a single place of residence
especially
: a person confined (as in a prison or hospital)
Examples of inmate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
John played an Irish inmate named Longshoe.
—
Jeffrey Eugenides, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
New state data shows that about 4,000 inmates completed programs last fiscal year, up 66% from about 2,400 in 2020 as the state expanded access to academic and vocational training across its 26 facilities.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The Cuban Embassy in Washington said authorities granted pardons to 2,010 inmates under provisions of the country’s constitution, citing factors such as good behavior, time already served and health conditions.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Last month, officials said 51 inmates would be freed as a goodwill gesture toward the Vatican.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inmate
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Jeffrey Eugenides, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
New state data shows that about 4,000 inmates completed programs last fiscal year, up 66% from about 2,400 in 2020 as the state expanded access to academic and vocational training across its 26 facilities.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The Cuban Embassy in Washington said authorities granted pardons to 2,010 inmates under provisions of the country’s constitution, citing factors such as good behavior, time already served and health conditions.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Last month, officials said 51 inmates would be freed as a goodwill gesture toward the Vatican.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inmate
Cite this Entry
“Inmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inmate. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inmate
noun
in·mate
ˈin-ˌmāt 
: a member of a group living in a single residence
especially
: a person kept in an institution (as a hospital or prison)
Medical Definition
inmate
noun
in·mate
ˈin-ˌmāt
: one of a group occupying a single place of residence
especially
: a person confined (as in a psychiatric hospital) especially for a long time
Legal Definition
inmate
noun
in·mate
ˈin-ˌmāt
: a person confined in an institution (as a prison or hospital)
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