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
Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Under a state law that says the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction can extend someone's sentence based on conduct in prison, Mortimer could serve up to 50½ years.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 9 Aug. 2025
After pleading guilty, Lewis was sentenced to 2½ years in prison in addition to a no-contact order that bans him from Fever games and facilities.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025
Combs could still face several years in prison, and his fate ultimately lies in the hands of Judge Arun Subramanian, who oversaw his federal trial.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prison
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Noun
He was sentenced to a term of five months to 20 years in prison and ordered to be removed to Laos in 2007.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Under a state law that says the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction can extend someone's sentence based on conduct in prison, Mortimer could serve up to 50½ years.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 9 Aug. 2025
After pleading guilty, Lewis was sentenced to 2½ years in prison in addition to a no-contact order that bans him from Fever games and facilities.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025
Combs could still face several years in prison, and his fate ultimately lies in the hands of Judge Arun Subramanian, who oversaw his federal trial.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 8 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2025.
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