inmate

noun

in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt 

: 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

Authorities have determined the cause and manner of death of a 45-year-old inmate who died in March after fainting while in custody at the San Diego Central Jail, sheriff’s officials said Tuesday. — Sydney Brammer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026

There are currently more than 153,000 federal inmates, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Bordley is being held in the Jackson County Detention Center on a $150,000 bond, according to the jail’s inmate listing. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026

An inmate who walked away from a Nevada County work camp on Independence Day was captured in Tijuana by Mexican authorities, said state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials on Monday. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inmate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids 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)