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

Pourrain was then moved, along with a large group of inmates, to the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami before arriving at the Glades Correctional Facility in Belle Glade. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

So far this year, 24 inmates have been executed, with another 14 on the calendar through December, though more are expected to be added. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

The California Supreme Court also must review executive clemency actions for inmates with more than one felony charge. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

One of those suggestions was to interview Clifford Butts, an inmate at an Ohio prison. — Yana Johnson, NBC news, 6 Sep. 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)