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Just as English is full of nouns referring to places where prisoners are confined, from the familiar (jail and prison) to the obscure (calaboose and bridewell), so we have multiple verbs for the action of putting people behind bars. Some words can be used as both nouns and verbs, if in slightly different forms: one can be jailed in a jail, imprisoned in a prison, locked up in a lockup, or even jugged in a jug. Incarcerate does not have such a noun equivalent in English—incarceration refers to the state of confinement rather than a physical structure—but it comes ultimately from the Latin noun carcer, meaning “prison.” Incarcerate is also on the formal end of the spectrum when it comes to words related to the law and criminal justice, meaning you are more likely to read or hear about someone incarcerated in a penitentiary or detention center than in the pokey or hoosegow.
Synonyms
Examples of incarcerate in a Sentence
City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2024
According to the federal inmate locator, Nassar, 60, is currently incarcerated at a prison in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024
While incarcerated in jail, Andrew was one of three Republican candidates who advanced in a primary election for the Clinton Township Board.
—Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
Here’s how the penalties shake out for manufacturing, transporting and possessing marijuana in Idaho:
Less than 3 ounces for personal use— Misdemeanor with a minimum fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year incarcerated.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2024
Several incarcerated women — who asked to remain anonymous citing fear of retaliation — described a chaotic scene.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Instead, Masten was incarcerated in a cell in general population that was not padded.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024
Keen reportedly committed those offenses while incarcerated, and conviction was considered a third strike with previous felony convictions.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024
Eisen agreed Trump probably wouldn't be incarcerated by Election Day, even if he's convicted on all counts.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incarcerate.' 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 incarcerate
Cite this Entry
“Incarcerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incarcerate. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incarcerate
verb
Legal Definition
incarcerate
transitive verb
Latin incarceratus, past participle of incarcerare, from in- in + carcer prison
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