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

Speaking to the cameras, Silman proclaimed that the crocodiles’ welfare outside would surely be much better than that of the Palestinian prisoners inside. — Irus Braverman, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026

While details of his meetings weren’t released, the talks could have touched on a prisoner release or Russia’s support for Iran. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Chinese courts often count the time of a sentencing from the date a prisoner is taken. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

State police said during the transport, the prisoner freed himself from his restraints and jumped out of the moving vehicle and fled north across the highway into a brush line. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 25 Aug. 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