pen in

idiom

: to prevent (someone or something) from moving beyond a particular area
The prisoners were penned in by a high fence.
often used figuratively
She felt penned in by their relationship.

Examples of pen in 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.
Virgo is the zodiac’s editor-in-chief, the one with the red pen in hand, ready to make notes of errors and polish every sentence. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 In mid-April 2024, while in the restrictive housing unit at Fox Lake Correctional, Garcia attempted to hang himself with a sheet in the recreation pen in front of multiple correctional staff. Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Not only that, De los Santos is capable of providing length out of the 'pen in a way that Loaisiga and Leiter Jr. can't be trusted to do. Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025 Then head outside, pen in hand, and tick off as many variations as cross your path. Jana Pollack, Parents, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pen in

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pen in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pen%20in. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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!