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
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
Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
In filings Monday, government officials acknowledged the administrative mistake that sent Garcia to a notorious prison in El Salvador.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
The report captured images inside of a prison cell that showed clear markings on the walls of an American.
—David Catanese, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Sign up for the 12:30 Report newsletter That includes a recent ruling from U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg temporarily blocking the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prison
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Since his detention, Mangione has seen supporters donate thousands of dollars for his defense fund, gifts sent to his prison, and letters showing support and asking for his response.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
In filings Monday, government officials acknowledged the administrative mistake that sent Garcia to a notorious prison in El Salvador.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
The report captured images inside of a prison cell that showed clear markings on the walls of an American.
—David Catanese, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Sign up for the 12:30 Report newsletter That includes a recent ruling from U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg temporarily blocking the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prison
Cite this Entry
“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
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