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
Synonyms
Noun
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
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024
Trump's conviction carries a penalty of up to four years in prison, though first-time offenders normally receive lesser sentences.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2024
Simon was sentenced to what amounts to life in prison, as well as an additional 10 years.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2024
Rasoulof had been in prison before, arrested in 2022 for criticizing the government.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prison 
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Noun
Another suspect, Gary Howard Oliva, who spent eight years in prison on child pornography charges, was first named as a person of interest in a 2002 episode of the CBS show 48 Hours Investigates.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024
Trump's conviction carries a penalty of up to four years in prison, though first-time offenders normally receive lesser sentences.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2024
Simon was sentenced to what amounts to life in prison, as well as an additional 10 years.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2024
Rasoulof had been in prison before, arrested in 2022 for criticizing the government.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prison
Dictionary Entries Near prison
Cite this Entry
“Prison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prison. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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