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
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Following a review of federal sentencing guidelines, prosecutors at one point said Combs could face 51 months to 63 months in prison, while the defense argued that the same guidelines instead suggested a two-year sentence.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Each count carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
—Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Lawmakers voted to close the prison in 2018 but the plan has been plagued with delays, including Republicans on the Legislature's budget-writing committee initially opting not to fully fund the plan to replace the prison with smaller facilities.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prison
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Noun
If convicted, the defendants face from 10 years to life in prison.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Following a review of federal sentencing guidelines, prosecutors at one point said Combs could face 51 months to 63 months in prison, while the defense argued that the same guidelines instead suggested a two-year sentence.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Each count carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
—Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Lawmakers voted to close the prison in 2018 but the plan has been plagued with delays, including Republicans on the Legislature's budget-writing committee initially opting not to fully fund the plan to replace the prison with smaller facilities.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 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 6 Oct. 2025.
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