prison

noun pris·on \ ˈpri-zᵊn \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of prison

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

See prison defined for English-language learners

See prison defined for kids

Examples of prison in a Sentence

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 of prison from the Web

Though slavery was formally abolished — outside of prisons — with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, in Plessy v. Ferguson, the Court in 1896 upheld racial segregation.

— chase strangio, Teen Vogue, "The Supreme Court Has Long Been a Tool of Oppression," 3 July 2018
The latter carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

— karen matthews, The Seattle Times, "Harvey Weinstein charged with sex crime against a 3rd woman," 3 July 2018
Carbonella faces a single count of embezzlement by a bank officer or employee, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

— david owens, courant.com, "Former Webster Bank Manager Charged With Stealing $850,000 From Customers," 3 July 2018
Robert and Philip of Taranto were thrown in prison, as were Louis and Robert of Durazzo.

— anne thériault, Longreads, "Queens of Infamy: Joanna of Naples," 3 July 2018
He was arrested and charged with violating the order, an offense that carries a maximum term of five years in prison.

— rafael olmeda, Sun-Sentinel.com, "No bond for gun owner who refused to give up his weapons," 3 July 2018
After 17 years in prison, Bryant was set free in May 2016.

— tim prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore man exonerated of murder after 30 years in prison," 2 July 2018
The performance of Kilmarnock prison is judged by 42 indicators, none of which measures reoffending rates.

— The Economist, "Britain’s outsourcing model, copied around the world, is in trouble," 28 June 2018
Mill, 31, whose legal name is Robert Rihmeek Williams, has been out of prison since April, when the Philadelphia Supreme Court ordered him released on bail.

— NBC News, "Rapper Meek Mill's petition for retrial after 2008 conviction denied by judge," 26 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of prison

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin prehension-, prehensio act of seizing, from prehendere to seize — more at get

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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prison Synonyms

prison

verb

Definition of prison

prisoned; prisoning; prisons

transitive verb

: imprison, confine

First Known Use of prison

14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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PRISON Defined for English Language Learners

prison

noun

Definition of prison for English Language Learners

: a building where people are kept as punishment for a crime or while they are waiting to go to court
: a place or situation from which you cannot escape

PRISON Defined for Kids

prison

noun pris·on \ ˈpri-zᵊn \

Definition of prison for Students

: a place where criminals are locked up

Law Dictionary

prison

noun pris·on

legal Definition of prison

: an institution usually under state control for confinement of persons serving sentences for serious crimes — compare house of correction, house of detention, jail, lockup, penitentiary