incarcerate

[ verb in-kahr-suh-reyt; adjective in-kahr-ser-it, -suh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·car·cer·at·ed, in·car·cer·at·ing.

1. to imprison; confine.

   Synonyms: intern, immure, jail

2. to enclose; constrict closely.

adjective

1. imprisoned.

incarcerate

/ ɪnˈkɑːsəˌreɪt /

verb

1. tr to confine or imprison

Derived Forms

• inˈcarcerˌator, noun
• inˌcarcerˈation, noun

Other Words From

• in·car·cer·a·tion [in-kahr-s, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• in·car·cer·a·tive adjective
• in·car·cer·a·tor noun
• un·in·car·cer·at·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incarcerate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Medieval Latin incarcerātus, past participle of incarcerāre “to imprison,” equivalent to in- “in” + carcer “prison” + -ātus past participle suffix; in- ², -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of incarcerate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin incarcerāre, from Latin in- ² + carcer prison

Example Sentences

Freedom didn’t take to him initially, and he was incarcerated once more in 2011 due to a variety of charges, including one count of inciting a riot.

From Ozy

The priority group also includes those in assisted-living facilities and incarcerated people at high risk of developing complications from covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

From Washington Post

In 2017, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges called for judges to ensure that teenagers who violate probation are not incarcerated.

From ProPublica

Before he goes, he’d like to set an example of how to be an incarcerated elected official, for others who might run to represent the jail in the future.

From Washington Post

As of Tuesday afternoon, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reported 411 active cases among people incarcerated in the facility and 71 active employee cases.

From Voice of San Diego

A magistrate gave orders to the constables to arrest and incarcerate the rest of the Spanish Negroes.

From Project Gutenberg

"It would be against my duty to permit you to incarcerate this miscreant," he said smoothly.

From Project Gutenberg

You can incarcerate a man for such a length of time that when at last you do give him his liberty he has no love left for it.

From Project Gutenberg

The Session therefor recommends to the Magistrates to apprehend and incarcerate her till tryall be had of that matter.

From Project Gutenberg

Before attempting to incarcerate him, however, they formally christened him Gyp the Blood.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• confine
• detain
• imprison
• jail
• lock up