prison

1 of 2

noun

pris·​on ˈpri-zᵊn 

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

prison

2 of 2

verb

prisoned; prisoning; prisons

transitive verb

: imprison, confine

Synonyms

Noun

• bastille
• big house [slang]
• bridewell
• brig
• calaboose
• can
• clink [slang]
• cooler
• coop
• guardroom
• hock
• hold
• hoosegow
• jail
• jailhouse
• joint [slang]
• jug
• lockup
• nick [British slang]
• pen
• penitentiary
• pokey [slang]
• quod [British slang]
• slam
• slammer
• stir [slang]
• stockade
• tolbooth [Scottish]

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

Noun

Most were ordered to pay a fine and received probation or a few months in prison. —Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024

She could be sentenced to up to five years in prison if convicted. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024

In 1956, Reich was charged with contempt for violating the injunction and sentenced to two years in prison. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 8 Dec. 2024

Two others involved in the scheme, one living in Nebraska, and the other in California, were sentenced to roughly two years in prison for their roles. —Bethany Blankley | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing prison

• left to rot in jail/prison
• maximum security prison
• minimum security prison
• open prison
• prison camp
• prison industrial complex
• prison time

Kids Definition

prison

noun

pris·​on

ˈpriz-ᵊn

1

: a state of confinement or captivity

2

: 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