incarcerated
adjective
in·car·cer·at·ed
in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrā-təd 
1
: confined in a jail or prison
Michigan law allows convicted felons to vote and run for office unless they are currently incarcerated, or if their offenses are fraud-related or constitute a breach of public trust.—
The Hartford (Connecticut) Courant
The Hartford (Connecticut) Courant… whatever was needed for her programs combating domestic violence and aiding incarcerated women, ex-offenders, and their children.—Peter Steinfels
Peter SteinfelsComparing the responses of incarcerated boys with nondelinquent adolescents, Scarpitti (1980) describes the three most probable identity resolutions …—Judith Steven-Long et al.
Judith Steven-Long et al.2
medical, of a hernia
: constricted but not strangulated
Within the incarcerated, herniated gastric cardia, there was an acute, benign gastric ulcer.—Gregory J. Gallivan
Gregory J. GallivanExamples of incarcerated in a Sentence
incarcerated residents of that state are still allowed to vote in elections
Recent Examples on the Web
The Allegheny County Police Department said in a news release on Tuesday that the eight incarcerated men are charged in connection with the death of 44-year-old Tyrone Good.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Other accomplishments of Wilson’s include the creation of the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys and prison reform that allows incarcerated mothers to be closer to their children.
—Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
In the absence of more prison closures, CDCR’s costs will continue to grow, largely due to increases in employee compensation costs and higher medical costs for incarcerated people.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
Nationally, the elimination of state penal exception clauses has had little impact on incarcerated workers.
—Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
Newsom cleared out the execution chamber and replaced it with a modern-looking building that’s equipped with a cafe and library, in the hopes of teaching college-level coursework to incarcerated people.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
That includes adopting a serious plan for prison closure that ensures safe transfers for incarcerated people and support for repurposing plans that reflect the needs of local communities.
—Brian Kaneda, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Hispanic people make up nearly 30% of the incarcerated population in the United States.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Proceeds from book sales pay for sending free copies to incarcerated people.
—Victoria Law, Washington Post, 6 May 2026
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Michael Guise, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Other accomplishments of Wilson’s include the creation of the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys and prison reform that allows incarcerated mothers to be closer to their children.
—Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
In the absence of more prison closures, CDCR’s costs will continue to grow, largely due to increases in employee compensation costs and higher medical costs for incarcerated people.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
Nationally, the elimination of state penal exception clauses has had little impact on incarcerated workers.
—Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
Newsom cleared out the execution chamber and replaced it with a modern-looking building that’s equipped with a cafe and library, in the hopes of teaching college-level coursework to incarcerated people.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
That includes adopting a serious plan for prison closure that ensures safe transfers for incarcerated people and support for repurposing plans that reflect the needs of local communities.
—Brian Kaneda, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Hispanic people make up nearly 30% of the incarcerated population in the United States.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Proceeds from book sales pay for sending free copies to incarcerated people.
—Victoria Law, Washington Post, 6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incarcerated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incarcerated. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
incarcerated
adjective
in·car·cer·at·ed
in-ˈkär-sə-ˌrāt-əd
of a hernia
: constricted but not strangulated
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