prison

1 of 2

noun

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

transitive verb

: imprison, confine

Synonyms of prison

Relevance

Noun

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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
If convicted, Miller could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the cyberstalking charge and two years for making false statements, along with fines of up to $250,000. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026 He was ordered to pay restitution and is scheduled to be sentenced to 20 years in prison in October. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
The challenge of being a Black single mother bringing up two boys in a society that seemed to want to make going to prison a rite of passage for them. — Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 5 Dec. 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

13th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Phrases Containing prison

Rhymes for prison

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Browse Nearby Words

prismy
prison
prison bars
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Cite this Entry

“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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