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
Ron Faucheux, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2025
His conviction was for a non-violent offense, but he was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Biden also commuted the sentence of Michelle West, who was sentenced to life in prison for crimes committed between 1987 and 1993.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 19 Jan. 2025
An Indiana woman was sentenced Friday to six years in prison for the death of her 10-year-old son nearly a year ago.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prison 
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Noun
Biden also commuted sentences for 37 of 40 convicts on death row in federal prisons, which was largely a policy statement against capital punishment.
—Ron Faucheux, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2025
His conviction was for a non-violent offense, but he was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Biden also commuted the sentence of Michelle West, who was sentenced to life in prison for crimes committed between 1987 and 1993.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 19 Jan. 2025
An Indiana woman was sentenced Friday to six years in prison for the death of her 10-year-old son nearly a year ago.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prison
Dictionary Entries Near prison
Cite this Entry
“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
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