house arrest

noun

1. confinement of an arrested person to their residence or to a public place, such as a hospital, instead of in a jail:

   He was under house arrest until the day of his trial.

house arrest

noun

1. confinement to one's own home

house arrest

1. Forcible detention in one's house rather than in a prison. House arrest is used by some nations as a way to silence political dissent without the elaborate trials and criminal proceedings that would bring bad publicity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of house arrest¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Gaulden had been living under house arrest in Weber County for three years.

From Los Angeles Times

More than a year later he remains under house arrest.

From BBC

After a short spell under house arrest, she was placed in pre-trial detention.

From BBC

He spent several months under house arrest as he awaited sentencing.

From BBC

He was arrested alongside Mr Gambaryan in February but fled the country within weeks of the pair being put under house arrest - and is still wanted by the Nigerian authorities.

From BBC