prison

1 of 2

noun

pris·​on ˈpri-zᵊn How to pronounce prison (audio)
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

prison

2 of 2

verb

prisoned; prisoning; prisons

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
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.
Noun
In 2019, Zeeb was sentenced to four years in prison in one of the country's largest cannabis cases. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025 Violators could face fines or serve up to five years in prison. Victoria Knight, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025 The claim: Trump 'faces up to 4 years in prison’ at Jan. 10 sentencing A Jan. 3 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) claims President-elect Donald Trump could spend several years behind bars after he is sentenced by New York Judge Juan Merchan. Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025 The singer ultimately pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one-to-three years in prison, but the judge suspended most of it. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for prison 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin prehension-, prehensio act of seizing, from prehendere to seize — more at get

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prison was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near prison

Cite this Entry

“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

prison

noun
pris·​on
ˈpriz-ᵊn
1
: a state of confinement or captivity
2
: a place where criminals or prisoners are locked up

Legal Definition

prison

noun
pris·​on
: an institution usually under state control for confinement of persons serving sentences for serious crimes compare house of correction, house of detention, jail, lockup, penitentiary

More from Merriam-Webster on prison

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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