prison

1 of 2

noun

pris·on ˈpri-zᵊn

Synonyms of prison next

: a state of confinement or captivity

: 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

prison

2 of 2

verb

prisoned; prisoning; prisons

transitive verb

: imprison, confine

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Any further violation would be classified as a Class E felony, which could come with a prison term of between one and six years, and a fine of up to $3,000. —

Annabelle Timsit, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Feb. 2023 Clouden had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by a prison term exceeding one year, the criminal complaint states. —

Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2023 Ingersoll’s attorney, Andrew Searle, urged Presnell to sentence Ingersoll to a prison term of no more than five years because of Ingersoll’s lifelong struggles with mental health issues. —

Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2023 The prison term, along with the 23 years he was handed in 2020 for a similar conviction in New York, amounts to a likely life sentence for the 70-year-old. —

Jane Onyanga-omara Steve Coogan Usa Today, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2023 His New York sentence would be served before a California prison term, though a retrial or other issues could keep him from being sent back there soon. —

Andrew Dalton, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Feb. 2023 His New York sentence would be served before a California prison term, though a retrial or other issues could keep him from being sent back there soon. —

Fortune, 23 Feb. 2023 Prosecutors had asked Leinenweber to sentence Kelly to 25 years, on top of his earlier prison term — effectively a life sentence. —

Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2023 His New York sentence would be served before a California prison term, though a retrial or other issues could keep him from being sent back there soon. —

Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2023

Verb

Nationwide, there is concern of devastating repercussions should prison populations suffer an outbreak. —

Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 27 Mar. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prison.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin prehension-, prehensio act of seizing, from prehendere to seize — more at get

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of prison was in the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

prison

noun

pris·on

ˈpriz-ᵊn

: a state of confinement or captivity

: a place where criminals or prisoners are locked up

Legal Definition

prison

noun

pris·on

: an institution usually under state control for confinement of persons serving sentences for serious crimes compare house of correction, house of detention, jail, lockup, penitentiary