prison

[ priz-uhn ]

noun

1. a building for the confinement of persons held while awaiting trial, persons sentenced after conviction, etc.
2. state prison.
3. any place of confinement or involuntary restraint.
4. imprisonment.

prison

/ ˈprɪzən /

noun

1. a public building used to house convicted criminals and accused persons remanded in custody and awaiting trial See also jail penitentiary reformatory
2. any place of confinement or seeming confinement

Other Words From

• prison·like adjective
• post·prison adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prison¹

before 1150; Middle English prison, earlier prisun < Old French, variant of preson imprisonment, a prison < Latin pre ( hē ) nsiōn- (stem of prehēnsiō ) a seizure, arrest, equivalent to prehēns ( us ) (past participle of prehendere to seize) + -iōn- -ion; doublet of prehension

Word History and Origins

Origin of prison¹

C12: from Old French prisun, from Latin prēnsiō a capturing, from prehendere to lay hold of

Example Sentences

The elder Biden issued the pardon Sunday, sparing his 54-year-old son from a possible prison sentence for federal gun and tax convictions.

From Los Angeles Times

In the tax case, Biden faced a maximum of 17 years in federal prison, although he was likely to be sentenced to a few years in prison at most.

From Los Angeles Times

He continued by saying the defendant's lack of remorse was illustrated by rap lyrics found in his prison cell in January that were "glorifying" his crimes.

From BBC

In March 2022, Pateman was sentenced to 17 years and 10 months in prison after admitting grievous bodily harm with intent.

From BBC

Kushner was sentenced to two years in prison in 2004 for charges including tax evasion, campaign finance offences and witness tampering.

From BBC

Related Words

• confinement
• jail
• lockup
• penitentiary