inmate

noun

in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: any of a group occupying a single place of residence
especially : a person confined (as in a prison or hospital)

Examples of inmate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Proposition 6 would allow inmates to work at such jobs as a way to earn credit toward time off. Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024 State troopers are searching for two inmates who escaped from Blackburn Correctional Complex in Lexington Sunday night. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2024 South Carolina has carried out the execution of death row inmate Richard Moore for the 1999 murder of a convenience store clerk, despite calls for clemency from some of his trial's former jurors, the judge from his original trial, pastors, a former state prison director and members of his family. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024 Moore’s lawyers asked Republican Gov. Henry McMaster to reduce his sentence to life in prison without parole because of his spotless prison record and willingness to be a mentor to other inmates. Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inmate 

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inmate was in 1609

Dictionary Entries Near inmate

Cite this Entry

“Inmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inmate. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

inmate

noun
in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: a member of a group living in a single residence
especially : a person kept in an institution (as a hospital or prison)

Medical Definition

inmate

noun
in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: one of a group occupying a single place of residence
especially : a person confined (as in a psychiatric hospital) especially for a long time

Legal Definition

inmate

noun
in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: a person confined in an institution (as a prison or hospital)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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