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

Detainees have very little access to due process — prisoners are often judged in mass trials, and lawyers regularly lose track of their clients. —CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026

Even a state prisoner on a hunger strike has more rights to make medical decisions. —CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026

Detainees have very little access to due process — prisoners are often judged in mass trials and lawyers regularly lose track of their clients. —Gisela Salomon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026

The conditions that women in prison face were highlighted in events held in Senegal on International Women's Day this past week — including the distribution of free, reusable menstrual products, which aren't readily available to prisoners. —Ricci Shryock, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026

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