1
confines plural
a
: something (such as borders or walls) that encloses
outside the confines of the office or hospital—
W. A. Nolen
W. A. Nolen
also
: something that restrains
escape from the confines of soot and clutter —E. S. Muskie
E. S. Muskie
b
: scope sense 3
work within the confines of a small group—Frank Newman
Frank Newman2
a
archaic
: restriction
b
obsolete
: prison
confined; confining
archaic
: border
1
a
: to hold within a location
Dikes confined the floodwaters.
b
: imprison
2
: to keep within limits
will confine my remarks to one subject
confiner
noun
Synonyms
Examples of confine in a Sentence
Noun
within the confines of the city
outside the confines of the school walls
that's beyond the confines of my power as dean of the college
Verb
will confine my remarks to the subject we came here to discuss
the accused was confined until the trial could take place
Recent Examples on the Web
Rob Reischel, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
In a panel discussion held in the confines of TIFFCOM, the rights market aligned with the Tokyo International Film Festival, the three were seemingly selected to represent the past, present and future of the genre.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
Simon Perry, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
The facility has been under near-constant lockdowns, leaving detainees confined to their cells for extended periods without access to visits, phone calls, showers, or recreation.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for confine 
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Noun
Detroit plays in the comfy confines of domed Ford Field.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
In a panel discussion held in the confines of TIFFCOM, the rights market aligned with the Tokyo International Film Festival, the three were seemingly selected to represent the past, present and future of the genre.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
The growth of these criminal networks fosters environments where violence against law enforcement and conservationists becomes commonplace … and crucially, this crisis is not confined to any one region.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
The facility has been under near-constant lockdowns, leaving detainees confined to their cells for extended periods without access to visits, phone calls, showers, or recreation.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for confine
Articles Related to confine
Dictionary Entries Near confine
Cite this Entry
“Confine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confine. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
confine
transitive verb
con·fine
kən-ˈfīn 
confined; confining
: to keep from leaving accustomed quarters (as one's room or bed) under pressure of infirmity, childbirth, or detention
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