imprisonment

[ im-priz-uhn-muhnt ]

noun

1. the act of confining in or as if in a prison; the state of being so confined:

   Identity theft and computer fraud are criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment.

   Winter up there means cumbersome living and imprisonment in an icy hell.

Word History and Origins

Origin of imprisonment¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Old French emprisonnement, equivalent to imprison ( def ) + -ment ( def )

Example Sentences

Petticrew leads us through Dolours' youth through her and Marian's harrowing imprisonment.

From Salon

This connection helped Doupe and Petticrew get through some dark days on set and also served the storytelling well: the Price sisters have what can only described as an intense, codependent relationship, which becomes even more deeply intertwined during their imprisonment.

From Los Angeles Times

He returned to Iran in 2016 to be with his parents, and was arrested and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment in Evin prison, where political prisoners are often imprisoned.

From BBC

The ugly future can be seen with Trump’s people making threats and promises of no empathy and “rough justice,” statements like “your body, my choice,” threats of imprisonment for political opponents and prosecutors, and his promise that “We’re not messing around this time.”

From Salon

Rivera talked to The Times about the finale, the work that went into creating a complicated portrait of a figure many have judged based on the headlines that followed his imprisonment and death, and why he’s slowly learning to bask in the praise that’s been heaped on him for this breakout performance.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• captivity
• confinement
• custody
• incarceration
• isolation