1
: a state of confinement or captivity
2
: a place of confinement especially for lawbreakers
specifically
: an institution (such as one under state jurisdiction) for confinement of persons convicted of serious crimes compare jail
Examples of prison in a Sentence
Noun
The state plans to build two more prisons.
He was in prison at the time.
If caught, they're all going to prison.
She was sent to prison for robbery.
He was released from prison.
He's scheduled to get out of prison next month.
Her marriage became a prison to her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Colin Millar, New York Times, 19 May 2025
In that case, Douglas was sentenced to five years of probation and had his 2-year prison sentence stayed, court documents say.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
Expelled to Salvadoran prison On Feb. 6, ICE agents stormed Garcia Casique’s apartment and whisked him away.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 18 May 2025
So Far Combs is facing 15 years to life in prison if convicted of the five federal charges against him.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prison
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Noun
In June 2024, three people were sentenced to eight months in prison after being found guilty of racially abusing Vinicius Jr in that May 2023 match at Valencia.
—Colin Millar, New York Times, 19 May 2025
In that case, Douglas was sentenced to five years of probation and had his 2-year prison sentence stayed, court documents say.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
Expelled to Salvadoran prison On Feb. 6, ICE agents stormed Garcia Casique’s apartment and whisked him away.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 18 May 2025
So Far Combs is facing 15 years to life in prison if convicted of the five federal charges against him.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prison
Cite this Entry
“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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