prisoner

noun

pris·​on·​er ˈpriz-nər 

ˈpri-zᵊn-ər

1

: a person deprived of liberty and kept under involuntary restraint, confinement, or custody

especially : one on trial or in prison

2

: someone restrained as if in prison

a prisoner of her own conscience

see also take-no-prisoners, take no prisoners

Synonyms of prisoner

• captive
• capture

Examples of prisoner in a Sentence

He was captured by rebel forces and kept as their prisoner for several months before they set him free.

The families were held prisoner for four days.

Recent Examples on the Web

Phase one of the agreement came into force in October, facilitating the return of living and dead hostages from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. —David Brennan, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2025

The number of prisoners dying grew at an even faster rate over that period, PHRI data show. —CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025

Two of the measures — agreements on the release of prisoners and the creation of a ceasefire oversight body — were already signed in September and October. —CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025

Prior to any such application a prisoner needs to demonstrate that all possible avenues of appeal have been exhausted. —Toby Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prisoner

• co-prisoner
• political prisoner
• prisoner of conscience
• prisoner of war
• prisoner's base
• take (someone) prisoner

Kids Definition

prisoner

noun

pris·​on·​er ˈpriz-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

: a person who has been captured or locked up

Legal Definition

prisoner

noun

pris·​on·​er

: a person deprived of liberty and kept under involuntary restraint, confinement, or custody

especially : one under arrest, awaiting trial, on trial, or serving a prison sentence