confinement

noun

con·​fine·​ment kən-ˈfīn-mənt How to pronounce confinement (audio)
Synonyms of confinementnext
: an act of confining : the state of being confined
solitary confinement
especially : lying-in

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of confinement in a Sentence

The dog was kept in confinement until it was determined to be healthy. He remained with his wife during her confinement.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Biden commuted Peltier’s sentence, ordering the remainder of his sentence to be served in home confinement. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025 Weinstein, 72, has been diagnosed with cancer and has sued over the conditions of his confinement. — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025 Despite noting the couple violated the public’s trust and that the husband lied on the witness stand, a federal judge on Wednesday gave the Wades strikingly lenient sentences: three years of probation for Carolyn, including 90 days of home confinement, and 90 days of prison time for Tracy. — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025 Knowing the physical and mental cost of confinement, the consensus was that the quarantine caused more harm than good. — Edna Bonhomme, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confinement

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, from confiner "to confine entry 2" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of confinement was in 1592

Phrases Containing confinement

Rhymes for confinement

See All Rhymes for confinement

Browse Nearby Words

confineless
confinement
confinement system
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confinement. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

confinement

noun
con·​fine·​ment kən-ˈfīn-mənt How to pronounce confinement (audio)
: an act of confining : the state of being confined
especially : lying-in

Legal Definition

confinement

noun
con·​fine·​ment
1
: the act of confining
2
: the state of being confined

More from Merriam-Webster on confinement

Nglish: Translation of confinement for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about confinement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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