1
: a person deprived of liberty and kept under involuntary restraint, confinement, or custody
especially
: one on trial or in prison
2
: someone restrained as if in prison
a prisoner of her own conscience
see also take-no-prisoners, take no prisoners
Examples of prisoner in a Sentence
He was captured by rebel forces and kept as their prisoner for several months before they set him free.
The families were held prisoner for four days.
Recent Examples on the Web
The risk assessment seeks to conclude whether the brothers — who for decades have been model prisoners who have focused on helping other inmates heal trauma— now pose an unreasonable risk to public safety if they are released.
—
Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
Check out the crumbling cell blocks, bell tower, and stone walls topped with broken glass—once used to keep prisoners inside.
—Laura Begley Bloom, AFAR Media, 10 Mar. 2025
Elijah’s time in uniform comes to an ignominious end when the Union takes him prisoner.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
Second, demand that any agreement include the return of kidnapped children and prisoners, as well as absolute security guarantees.
—Claude Malhuret, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prisoner
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Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
Check out the crumbling cell blocks, bell tower, and stone walls topped with broken glass—once used to keep prisoners inside.
—Laura Begley Bloom, AFAR Media, 10 Mar. 2025
Elijah’s time in uniform comes to an ignominious end when the Union takes him prisoner.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
Second, demand that any agreement include the return of kidnapped children and prisoners, as well as absolute security guarantees.
—Claude Malhuret, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prisoner
Articles Related to prisoner
Cite this Entry
“Prisoner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prisoner. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prisoner
noun
pris·on·er
ˈpriz-nər 
-ᵊn-ər
: a person who has been captured or locked up
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