: 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
He was subsequently released in April 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic permitted compassionate release for some inmates with health conditions, but was arrested on October 29 for failing drug tests and traveling without his probation officer’s okay.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
Currently, service dogs must share inmate showers, raising sanitary issues.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Moore's lawyers asked Republican Gov. Henry McMaster to reduce his sentence to life in prison without parole because of his spotless prison record and willingness to be a mentor to other inmates.
—Jeffrey Collins The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Claim about 'transgender operations' in prisons, jails Trump's campaign has seized on Harris' past comments affirming her support for transgender inmates to receive care.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1609, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near inmate
Cite this Entry
“Inmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inmate. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
inmate
noun
in·mate
ˈin-ˌmāt
: 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
: 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
: a person confined in an institution (as a prison or hospital)
More from Merriam-Webster on inmate
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inmate
Nglish: Translation of inmate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of inmate for Arabic Speakers
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