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
Synonyms
Noun
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
Marcus Mewborn, ABC News, 10 May 2024
The Post reported that Trump appreciates Manafort's loyalty to him, even while in prison.
—Margie Cullen, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for prison 
Noun
On April 26, 2023, a jury found Coley McCraney guilty of capital murder and rape, and he was later sentenced to life in prison.
—Marcus Mewborn, ABC News, 10 May 2024
The Post reported that Trump appreciates Manafort's loyalty to him, even while in prison.
—Margie Cullen, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for prison
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prison.' 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 prison
Cite this Entry
“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 13 May. 2024.
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