1
: kept within confines: such as
a
: limited to a particular location
confined to bed
b
: held captive
confined prisoners
2
: very small
confined spaces
a confined compartment
3
dated
: undergoing childbirth
In Scotland, the Countess of Athole, who was lying-in at Edinburgh Castle near the similarly confined Mary, Queen of Scots, is reported to have cast her own birth pangs onto a waiting-woman in the queen's chamber.—
Michael Olmert
Michael OlmertSynonyms
Examples of confined in a Sentence
She gets uncomfortable in confined spaces.
confined citizens have basic rights under that nation's constitution
Recent Examples on the Web
Hydrothermal explosions occur when hot water in a volcano system turns into steam in a confined area, Morgan wrote.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 25 July 2024
One of Calhoun's first classified meetings involves something — or someone — locked away in a confined holding cell.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 18 July 2024
Having a pair of .50 caliber guns at your command doesn’t leave the gunner assigned to this position any less confined or exposed.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2024
She's even become so accustomed to the city that her favorite method of transportation is the subway, even though many celebrities of her stature wouldn't want to trap themselves in a confined, often crowded space.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for confined 
Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 25 July 2024
One of Calhoun's first classified meetings involves something — or someone — locked away in a confined holding cell.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 18 July 2024
Having a pair of .50 caliber guns at your command doesn’t leave the gunner assigned to this position any less confined or exposed.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2024
She's even become so accustomed to the city that her favorite method of transportation is the subway, even though many celebrities of her stature wouldn't want to trap themselves in a confined, often crowded space.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for confined
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'confined.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near confined
Cite this Entry
“Confined.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confined. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
confined
adjective
con·fined
kən-ˈfīnd 
: undergoing childbirth
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share