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
Essence, 11 Dec. 2025
If convicted, the theft crew faces up to 25 years in prison, and the fences up to 15 years in prison.
—Dave Carlin, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
That ship sank, but Bianchi survived, and the Japanese transferred him to another prison ship that suffered a similar fate off Taiwan on January 9, 1945.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
If convicted, Solorzano faces up to life in prison.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prison
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Noun
Combs is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence after being found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution in New York City earlier this year.
—Essence, 11 Dec. 2025
If convicted, the theft crew faces up to 25 years in prison, and the fences up to 15 years in prison.
—Dave Carlin, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
That ship sank, but Bianchi survived, and the Japanese transferred him to another prison ship that suffered a similar fate off Taiwan on January 9, 1945.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
If convicted, Solorzano faces up to life in prison.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 11 Dec. 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 14 Dec. 2025.
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