inmate

noun

in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: 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
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.
Louisiana is about to find out Texas court issues rare stay of execution for Death Row inmate who fought for DNA testing Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey commutes death sentence of Robin Dion Myers, a first in her tenure How will Jeffrey Hutchinson be executed? James Powel, USA Today, 2 May 2025 The documentary investigates the shocking abuse of inmates in the Alabama penal system, leveraging videos shot surreptitiously by prisoners who obtained black market cell phones. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 May 2025 Those letters, the spokesperson said, are to be included in the inmate’s electronic health record. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025 The other high-profile inmate at MDC is Luigi Mangione, who stands accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024. Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inmate

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inmate was in 1609

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inmate. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

inmate

noun
in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: a person confined in an institution (as a prison or hospital)

More from Merriam-Webster on inmate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!