prison

1 of 2

noun

pris·on ˈpri-zᵊn

Synonyms of prison next

: a state of confinement or captivity

: 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

prison

2 of 2

verb

prisoned; prisoning; prisons

transitive verb

: imprison, confine

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

A century and a half ago, Corcoran’s 22,500 residents — a few thousand of whom are at the city’s other big industry, the state prison — would have been at the bottom of Tulare Lake. —

Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2023 But in arguing for the rights of Jan. 6 defendants, Republicans have hit on the issue of prison reform and can find some common ground with Democrats. —

Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023 The franchise ends with Boyka returning to the prison ring, fighting for a small audience of inmates, performing for a few who appreciate his craft while the majority outside hardly know his name. —

Joshua St. Clair, Men's Health, 24 Mar. 2023 Five prison staffers drawn from a pool of volunteers fired from 25 feet (about 8 meters) away with .30-caliber rifles. —

Michael Tarm, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2023 His attorney, Felix Rudakemwa, asserted that Rusesabagina’s legal papers were confiscated by prison authorities. —

Katharine Houreld, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Mar. 2023 Oats and Miller headed to the yard and shot hoops with the kids in the prison. —

Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, 24 Mar. 2023 Five prison staffers drawn from a pool of volunteers fired from 25 feet (about 8 meters) away with .30-caliber rifles. —

Michael Tarm, ajc, 24 Mar. 2023 At times, condemned inmates have even assisted prison personnel in inserting it themselves. —

Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2023

Verb

Nationwide, there is concern of devastating repercussions should prison populations suffer an outbreak. —

Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 27 Mar. 2020 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of prison was in the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

prison

noun

pris·on

ˈpriz-ᵊn

: a state of confinement or captivity

: a place where criminals or prisoners are locked up

Legal Definition

prison

noun

pris·on

: 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