incarceration

[ in-kahr-suh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of incarcerating, or putting in prison or another enclosure:

   The rate of incarceration has increased dramatically.

Word History and Origins

Origin of incarceration¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from French incarcération, from Latin incarcerātiōn-, stem of incarcerātiō, equivalent to incarcerāt(us), past participle of incarcerāre “to imprison” + -iō -ion ( def ); incarcerate ( def )

Example Sentences

That’s the opposite of how an effective democratic government should operate — it should welcome an honest reckoning with history, reform of the criminal justice system and effective alternatives to mass incarceration.

From Salon

Three times as many people of Japanese descent, mostly American citizens, were held at incarceration camps.

From Los Angeles Times

While CPS can protect children from harmful situations, children who experienced interactions with CPS have an increased risk of incarceration, substance use and having CPS involved with their own children later in life.

From Salon

A more recent example was the Trump administration and the GOP supporting prison reform to reduce federal spending on inmates, aligning with advocates against mass incarceration.

From Salon

The Venezuelans were dispatched to the infamous Center for Terrorism Confinement, the centerpiece of Bukele’s mass incarceration agenda.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• captivity
• confinement