inmate

noun

in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: any of a group occupying a single place of residence
especially : a person confined (as in a prison or hospital)

Examples of inmate in a Sentence

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.
The Arizona Department of Corrections said Wassenaar was moved to a prison in Florence after Friday’s inmate deaths. Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Erik has helped start at least five programs, including a support group for disabled and elderly inmates. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025 Mule Creek State Prison guards found inmate Robert Cole, 48, unresponsive in his cell about 6:30 a.m. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 5 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, the inmates moved out of the tent Monday night were sent back to the main jail on Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inmate

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inmate was in 1609

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inmate. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

inmate

noun
in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: a member of a group living in a single residence
especially : a person kept in an institution (as a hospital or prison)

Medical Definition

inmate

noun
in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: one of a group occupying a single place of residence
especially : a person confined (as in a psychiatric hospital) especially for a long time

Legal Definition

inmate

noun
in·​mate ˈin-ˌmāt How to pronounce inmate (audio)
: a person confined in an institution (as a prison or hospital)

More from Merriam-Webster on inmate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!