confinement

[ kuhn-fahyn-muhnt ]

noun

1. the act of confining.
2. the state of being confined. confined.
3. the lying-in of a woman in childbed; accouchement; childbirth.
4. Military. incarceration in a guardhouse or prison while awaiting trial or as a punishment ( arrest ).

confinement

/ kənˈfaɪnmənt /

noun

1. the act of confining or the state of being confined
2. the period from the onset of labour to the birth of a child
3. physics another name for containment

Other Words From

• noncon·finement noun
• postcon·finement noun
• precon·finement noun
• self-con·finement noun
• semi·con·finement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of confinement¹

1640–50; confine + -ment; compare French confinement

Example Sentences

Even a lighter sentence, like community service or home confinement, will be challenged by his lawyers, who could argue that logistical challenges and constitutional duties should shield any president from having to serve such a sentence.

From Salon

He’d survived riots, fights and years in solitary confinement.

From Los Angeles Times

In the early years, he said, he acted up, raking up disciplinary infractions that landed him in solitary confinement.

From Los Angeles Times

On the road back to my confinement, I listened to the radio and there, too, were Tester and Sheehy.

From Slate

They have also lobbied against legislation to limit the use of solitary confinement and grant inmates more visiting rights.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• custody
• detention
• incarceration
• internment
• jail
• repression