inmate

noun in·mate \ ˈin-ˌmāt \

Definition of inmate

: any of a group occupying a single place of residence; especially : a person confined (as in a prison or hospital)

See inmate defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of inmate from the Web

Firstly, some inmates cost the jail upwards of $200 a day, depending on their medical needs.

— matthew glowicki, The Courier-Journal, "Amid jail overcrowding, legal adversaries unite to speed up low-level cases and save money," 27 Oct. 2017
One lawsuit alleged that inmates with disabilities were forced to bark like dogs for food.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "This Is an American Prison in 2017," 26 Oct. 2017
The Kansas Department of Corrections says the facility, which houses more than 2,000 inmates, needs a staff of around 682 workers.

— kelsey ryan, kansascity, "Under Gov. Sam Brownback, Kansas government kept shrinking | The Kansas City Star," 18 Oct. 2017
She was punished with long stretches of single-cell confinement, and her fellow inmates were often subjected to collective punishment in response to her protests.

— sophie pinkham, New York Times, "‘Riot Days’: A Memoir of Punk Protest and Prison Activism," 17 Oct. 2017
During this volunteer effort, Martin noticed inmates with offensive tattoos that posed barriers to future employment.

— melissa reinert, Cincinnati.com, "2017 Women of the Year: Jo Frances Martin helps people move forward with life," 14 Oct. 2017
He was only supposed to be there for two days before going back to court, but on his second day inside, Martin got into a fight and was stabbed four times by another inmate with a pen that was melted and fashioned into a knife.

— lincoln anthony blades, Teen Vogue, "Bail Is a Broken System in Need of Reform," 11 Oct. 2017
The former Illinois Youth Center prison in Joliet has been transformed into a mental health treatment unit male inmates with severe mental illness.

— alicia fabbre, Daily Southtown, "Facility for mentally ill inmates to open in Joliet," 18 Sep. 2017
In addition to its Jewish inmates, Dachau housed political offenders, Jehovah’s Witnesses, gay men, Roma and those deemed asocial: nonconformists, vagrants and, in Bavarian artist Georg Tauber’s case, addicts.

— meilan solly, Smithsonian, "This Dachau Survivor’s Harrowing Art Is on Display for the First Time," 31 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inmate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of inmate

1609

in the meaning defined above

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INMATE Defined for English Language Learners

inmate

noun

Definition of inmate for English Language Learners

: a person who is kept in a prison or mental hospital

INMATE Defined for Kids

inmate

noun in·mate \ ˈin-ˌmāt \

Definition of inmate for Students

: a person confined in an institution (as a hospital or prison)

Medical Dictionary

inmate

noun in·mate \ ˈin-ˌmāt \

medical Definition of inmate

: one of a group occupying a single place of residence; especially : a person confined (as in a psychiatric hospital) especially for a long time

Law Dictionary

inmate

noun in·mate \ ˈin-ˌmāt \

legal Definition of inmate

: a person confined in an institution (as a prison or hospital)

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See words that rhyme with inmate Spanish Central: Translation of inmate Nglish: Translation of inmate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inmate for Arabic speakers

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inmate

Definition of inmate

Recent Examples of inmate from the Web

First Known Use of inmate

INMATE Defined for English Language Learners

inmate

Definition of inmate for English Language Learners

INMATE Defined for Kids

inmate

Definition of inmate for Students

Medical Dictionary

inmate

medical Definition of inmate

Law Dictionary

inmate

legal Definition of inmate

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